From St James(exeter) to Santiago de compostella

now in ponferrada, big templars castle here. lots of long walks the last few days, but not enough time to update this. I´ll add stuff from my paper journal when i´m done.

today I arrived in a small place called mansilla de las mulas, a short distance before leon. Had a bad time walking 43kms to sahagun, with really bad digestive problems developing. Still its now more than half way, with just the mountains of galicia between me and santiago. stopped in a hotel in sahagun, so i could monopolise the toilet and have a bath.

Now in fromista, between burgos and leon. missed a turning for 1 refugio before burgos, and wlked a total of 47kms into burgos.spentlastnight in a restored hospital runby the italian confraternity of st.james.a truly beautiful place, and had my foot washed in a ritual they perform for all pilgrims who sttay there.losing track ofdates and places, but trying to keep them in my diary.

Just got into the refugio at logroño. Actually arrived here at about 8am this morning, having left the last place, los arcos, at 1am. Then I had a jolly little 30km stroll in the dark to get here, but much better than walking in the sun. It was a full moon, and in the distance lighting flashis illuminated the landscape.I walked with kris from poland, dennis from denmark, two australian brothers matthew and james and an american couple, not slept yet, still need to wash my clothes and see to my blisters. an night of amazing adventure and scary dogs!

Now in Puerte le Reina, just after Pamplona on the camino. I have blisters the size of planets and the traditional lobster redness of the englishman in spain. Took the route napoleon over the pyrnees, 27km of modstly up, with lots of mist. I can´t send people texts but can recieve them, so keep in touch. next stop estalla!

Just a quick note to add my contact details for those who wish to tell me/share stuff with me. Email me - pilgrim@wandering.co.uk.