Local walks

For the past 3 months we have been walking locally for daily exercise. Photos are few but back in April these trees were lovely.

No walking planned now for this year

Sadly all our plans for 2020, like those of many others, are cancelled as we stay at home due to the Covid-19 lockdown. We wait to see what will happen later in the year but will nor be looking to going to Spain for the foreseeable future, which is very sad.

Spain 2020

We are planning to visit Spain again this year, walking around various places in Asturias and the Picos de Europa. Training for walking is affected by the ongoing bad weather but there is plenty of time before we go. We would be walking out from chosen destinations rather than walking a pilgrimage route this time so are not needing to be so well prepared as in previous years. As ever - watch this space.......

Goodrich Castle

One place we visited, on a trip out from Ledbury, was Goodrich Castle (English Heritage site). It is very impressive and well worth the walk from the parking area.

Views from outside the walls and of the keep and a range of buildings inside.

Ledbury

Two years ago we stayed near Ledbury and visited there again this autumn. There are many good walks in the area and interesting places to visit. British Camp is an iron age fort which we have visited before. A good walk, but curtailed by the rain. However we did reach the top but this year did not continue to walk along the ridge, returning instead by the path round the lower side of the main fort.

Moel Famau and Offa's Dyke

Moel Famau is the highest hill in the Clwydian range at 555mts Our walk started from the car park for Moel Famau and went uphill through the woods. The first more gentle section soon becomes much steeper. On our first walk we took the steep route to a point near the 'scenic' alternative before returning downhill for lunch.

On our full walk we took our lunch with us. There are marked diversions for a slightly easier walk so on the first section we chose this and the zig-zag path made the ascent better. Views from the point where the paths joined were excellent as it was a clear day.

The next steep section again has a marked alternative and this is the more scenic route. This was a good choice as it was clear enough to see Snowdon from this path.

The track wound around and uphill until we could look down onto the Offa's Dyke path, the two tracks meeting below the steepest section we tackled just before the Jubilee Tower. From the tower, built n 1810 for the golden jubilee of George III, it was possible to see not only Snowdon but also across the Dee.

We then turned downhill and walked Offa's Dyke back down to the other car-park, then the footpath parallel to the road back to the Moel Famau car park (also bus stop and toilets) Total approx distance 5 miles, including the diversions.

Track through the woods
and
before the 'scenic' split

The scenic turns left, the main track goes uphill
and
the scenic track

The view looking down to Offa's Dyke
and
the Jubilee Tower

View of Snowdon from Moel Famau
and
Jubilee Tower from the Offa's Dyke path

Offa's Dyke path

Spring 2019

Staying near Ruthin (N. Wales) we walked in the area and a short distance on Offa's Dyke. This was followed by time near Castleton with further walking in that area. More and photos to follow.

A good decision

We are relieved that we did change our plans as the ferry we would have been using has had an engine fire. Thankfully no-one was injured but the ferry is currently out of service. Our outgoing service would have been affected and possibly our return as well. Meanwhile we continue with our plans for Offa's Dyke and Tideswell later in the year, with a return to Ledbury planned for a further walking holiday in the autumn.

Spring is here

We have continued to walk through the winter, but mostly on the road. We have taken few photos. However now that spring is here we are again walking the footpaths locally, when it is not too muddy underfoot. Hopefully we will soon have more new places to visit and more photos to add to this blog. Meanwhile here is a photo from our time in Spain in 2018.

Changed plans

With continuing uncertainty over Brexit and the paperwork needed for the car we have cancelled our plans for Spain. Instead we will walk part of the northern end of Offa's Dyke and the area of the Peak District around Tideswell. The former we have had in mind since we walked other section several years ago. The latter is a return to the area where we spent our honeymoon.

So far these plans seem to be working out well.

So - once again - watch this space......

Plans for 2019

We hope to travel to Spain and re-visit some of the places we have been to previously as well as some new areas.

Watch this space......

Link from Ruta do Mar to Camino del Norte

If walking the Camino del Norte it is possible to walk from Ribadeo on the Ruta do Mar along the coast, past As Catedrais, and then inland through Villaronte to the Basilica of San Martiño de Mondoñedo.

From San Martiño de Mondoñedo instead of going on towards Foz and the Ruta do Mar (signed Obispo Santo) you can turn south to Mondoñedo itself. The route should be marked 'Camino de San Rosendo', although it might be necessary to ask the directions from the Basilica to the first sign. This brings you back onto the Norte in Lourenzá and then to Mondoñedo. Follow the road into town and take the second exit at the roundabout just past the Hotel Montero (with private albergue). Pass the cemetery on your right and keep uphill between the houses, pass the Church of Santiago and follow the signs to the Cathedral. At the Fuente beyond the Cathedral the two variants of the Norte are signed. (Also on one of the approach roads to the Cathedral).

A further alternative is to walk the coast as far as Foz before turning inland and following the red Camino de San Rosendo signs. This too will bring you through to San Martiño.

Basilica of San Martiño

Signs in Lourenzá

Spain 2018

We have now returned from our time in Spain and have enjoyed a number of lovely walks. Once we have prepared our photos we will post more fully here.

Plans and changes for 2018

Our journey is still planned but with some minor variations as to the route.

We will visit Suances, Naves and Soto de Luiña as planned; then a Casa Rural near the Estacas de Bara before going to Mondoñedo; after that we head east to Pravia before going to Corao; then finally Ongayu which is not far from Suances as we return home.

Sea view - Suances

Walking in 2018

Planning is going well for walking a few sections of the Camino del Norte and also the Camino do Mar. This latter is the route from Ribadeo heading west towards Ferrol which we walked in 2015.

So far we expect to stay in Suances (off Camino); Naves (near LLanes); Soto de Luiña; Viveiro (Camino do Mar); Mondoñedo; then head east again to Carao (on the LLanes to Covadonga link) and finally the Picos de Europa on our way home.

Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores,
near Barro - Camino del Norte

A record number of pilgrims in 2017

This year to date there have been 300,000 Compostela certificates issued in Santiago de Compostela.
These are to pilgrims who have walked at least the final 100kms on one of the many Camino routes into Santiago.
Personally we are glad that we walked when it was quieter. Although the increase in numbers is in many ways welcome for helping the economy of the region it does mean that there are greater crowds, particularly in Santiago itself.
We look forward to walking the quieter sections of the Norte and beyond next year without planning to reach Santiago itself.

Mestas de Ardisana and Ardisana

Mestas de Ardisana has many narrow twisting streets and a number of differing types of hórreo. We spent time walking through the village looking at these as well as the houses themselves, crossing the stream on the stepping stones.

While in Posada de Rengas we had learnt that strictly speaking hórreos have a single spike and usually just 4 staddles, one at each corner. The larger stores are paneros with two spikes on the roof and 6, or occasionally 8, staddles. Both types have the access steps detached, to prevent rats entering the granary.

Our final trip in the area was to take the car up out of the valley to Ardisana itself and ride along the hilltop to look across at the views. There is a narrow road up from the valley which it would be possible to walk if time allowed.

Mestas village

Hórreo

Hórreo (left)

Panero (right)

Mountain views

near Ardisana

The Camino del Norte again - May 2017

We took a ride back up to the coast west of LLanes passing the church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, across the estuary. After lunch in Nueva we took a short walk along the Camino. Then we went on by car to the church San Pedro de Pria. Here we saw some pilgrims walking the road uphill to reach the church from the rear, adding about 2kms to their walk. The Camino is well marked across the fields with access points through the wire fencing. The albergue has the phone number on the door and the Camino passes below it and the church to continue at the far side.

Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores

Camino in Nueva

The road behind San Pedro de Pria

The track up the field to the church

San Pedro de Pria

The albergue

Mestas de Ardisana

From Mestas we walked the route signed uphill towards Teyeu.This walk is along part of the old Roman road and the route through from LLanes to Covadonga. It started along the river side and then along the road with views of the mountains. Passing through the village of Teyeu it continued along the road which then became a good track. The track was crossed by a stream which was passable, but in wet weather could be a problem. We continued along the track until we reached a small farm where time meant we needed to turn back.

Puerto de Pajaro

We took a ride through Campomanes and on up to Puerto de Pajaro, where the Camino de Salvador reaches its highest point (1378mts). The track passes through the field with the cows and the yellow arrows appear to be double-headed here. One way passes through the barrier to the very steep descent parallel to the road. Much steeper than we would want to try, but it was well worth the visit for the views. On the ride back down we stopped just outside Campomanes for a very good menu del dia before returning to the hotel.

Santa Cristina de Lena

After the heat and thunderstorm of the afternoon the next morning was good for walking again. The upper track to the church starts 200mts downhill from the Hotel Santa Cristina, and turns uphill again before levelling out for about 500mts. The church opens at 11.00am and the lady came up the old track we had walked up yesterday.

Outside the church has a shell carving over one window and various carved window lattices. Inside photography is allowed but no flash. It is possible to go up the steps to the king's gallery to see down into the nave. The sanctuary is also up steps (entry forbidden) and the altar front is carved with various motifs.

For anyone walking the Camino de Salvador it is well worth making time to visit this lovely little pre-Romanesque church.