Dawn

Dawn

Monday, September 18, 2017

Thoughts from Galicia: 18.9.17


Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable.
- Christopher Howse: A Pilgrim in Spain

If you've arrived here because of an interest in Galicia or Pontevedra, see my web page here.

CAMINO NEWS

Yesterday was a day of sighsteeing in Segovia, travelling (by bus) to Ávila and finally a bit of sightseeing and wine-drinking in the latter city. So, no much by way of s story to tell. But here goes:-
  • Walking Saturday on the Camino Schmid towards - in theory - the Camino de Santiago at Fuente de la Fuenfría, one meets this sign . . .

Not seeing anything different from so far on the trek, I naturally wondered where this danger might lie. Which is when I tripped over a tree stump and would, but for my walking poles, have landed on my face. I am a great fan of poles, even for flat terrain.
  • Hotel prices differ enormously in their value for money. In Segovia we had a much lower quality place than our hotel here in Ávila, for only a 10% lower cost. The latter is an ex-palace in the Cathedral Square and rather more luxurious than in our - admittedly well-located - place in Segovia.
  • Once you get out of Madrid, wifi reception is poor in your room, whatever the establishment claims. At least for my laptop, if not for my 4G phone.
  • In contrast to the more popular French and Portuguese caminos, there are no baggage transport companies on the Camino de Madrid or on the Camino Levante to take your bags to your next hotel. You have to use a taxi and the fare will usually be the distance in km x 2 x €1. Not bad if there are 6 of you but expensive if you're walking alone.
  • Gaseosa (lemonade) apears to be unknown in In Segovia. So, if you want a shandy(clara) it has to be with a lemon drink such as 7-Up or Fanta. No idea why.
  • The traditional tapa item in these parts - or one of them, at least - is a sort of crispy pork scratching. Delicious. Unless you're a vegetarian.
  • If your Apple Mac charger comes apart and the prongs stay in the socket, leaving 2 long wires sticking out, it's not a good idea to try to pull the prongs out by grabbing one of these wires. Using a penknife ro prise out the plastic bit works well, though. But then - when you have re-assembled it - you have to prop up the charger with whatever is to hand, so that it doesn't fall from the wall. Or buy an extension cord, so that the charger will be vertical on the floor.
  • It's a tradition on our caminos that one of the group snaps me when I am zizzing. Here's this year's pic. Possibly the least flattering:-

Finally . . .  At the request of a reader, I've returned to allowing all comments, even anonymous ones. Which means you don't have to register or have some sort of account with Google. Don't go mad.

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