We went exploring the area of the Arcs de Castell in the mountains approximately an hour or so from Alicante. The views along the road through the mountains were spectacular.
A view of some of the mountains along the way.
We came to a lookout area with a rest stop, so decided to take a break and enjoy the views.
Shelley enjoying the lookout in the mountainsThe lookout at the rest stop.
There was even a small zip line and of course Ray could not resist trying it out.
Ray on the small zip line
After we enjoyed our stop we continued on to our destination. We arrived at the road that leads to the Arc de Castell. We began our hike up the road toward the arcs.
As we walked along the road it was so peaceful and quiet. We came along a very traditional style Spanish vila along the trail.
We walked approximately 8 kilometers and then started climbing up the mountain side. The road turned into a trail and then eventually into a small path. As we went it became steeper and more difficult.
Eventually we arrived at an area that was quite steep and looked a little unstable. At this point we decided to turn around and head back down the mountain.
The Arcs de Castell
We worked our way back down and enjoyed the views along the way. It was so quiet and there were no people around. We did not need to wear a mask and it almost felt like the pandemic was none existent. It was a great way to spend the day.
2021 has been one tough year and we are glad to say that it is over. We now hope that 2022 will be a lot better and the world will find some sense of normal. We are making plans for some new and exciting adventures for this year. We hope to incorporate a lot more travel and to see more of our family and friends. Until then we want to simply wish everyone a very healthy, safe and Happy New Year.
We say good bye to 2021 with a few photos of our travels and adventures from the past year.
The view of the beach in Alicante in MRay and Shelley in a Winery in the Rioja Regions of SpainRay sitting on a chair of a statue of a shoe shine man in the town of Haro SpainShelley overlooking a valley in the Rioja region of SpainView of the town of Bastida in the region of Rioja.The river of Ebro in the Rioja region of SpainShelley and Ray with fields of grape wines in Rioja region of SpainPart of the fortified castle in the town of SajazarraShelley with fresh Pomegranates picked from a wild tree in the mountains near AlicanteView of the sunset from our terrace in AlicanteRay and Shelley at Christmas time 2021 in Alicante
“Feliz año nuevo y deseándote un próspero y seguro 2022”
I knew I had only a few days left to reach Santiago de Compostela and wanted to arrive early on the last day. Each morning I would get up very early and begin my camino at around 6AM. It was still dark and I would walk using a headlamp that helped me to see the trail. On the last day of the camino I started at 5:30 a.m. and noticed that there were some bats that were following me along the trail. They would sweep down in front of me. At first I was not sure why they were flying so close to me then I noticed that they were catching the moths and bugs that were drawn to the light of my headlamp. The bats were enjoying a meal while we walked together on the trail.
When I reached the final ten kilometres marker it seemed that it was extra long because I was excited to finish the camino. I wanted to see Shelley and rest up from the camino.
10 kms marker for the Camino de SantiagoRay in front of a statue along the camino
When I got the the city it was a little different as you walk through the city before reaching the cathedral. I stopped at the iconic wall marker which people put memorials, photos etc at the marker.
Marker on the camino at Santiago de Compostela
I stopped and left my rock at the marker, giving thanks for all that I have had in life. Afterwards I continued along the camino until I reached cathedral de Santiago. It was an amazing feeling of joy to finally arrive but also a little sad knowing that the camino was completed.
Ray at the Cathedral de Santiago
At the end of the camino Shelley was waiting for me at the cathedral. We met up and celebrated the end of my camino and we enjoyed a few days exploring the city of Santiago de Compostela.
We had rested up in Lugo and Shelley’s knee was feeling better. We headed out early and restarted our journey along the camino. It was a beautiful morning and one of the first sites we came to was the Roman bridge at the outskirts of Lugo. At the foot of the bridge was a statue of a Roman standing guard.
Statue of Roman guarding the Roman bridge
Roman bridge at the outskirts of Lugo
We took our time and enjoyed a slow pace and scenery as we progressed.
After a while Shelley’s knee began to hurt. We stopped along the way a few times but her knee continued to get worse. We walked along the camino for approximately 7 kms when Shelley’s knee was inflamed and very painful. We were afraid that it could cause some permanent damage to her knee. We decided that I should continue the camino alone and that she would take at taxi the remaining way to Santiago. There was a camino marker where we stopped so Shelley placed her stone on the marker. We contacted a taxi and she went ahead via taxi to Santiago de Compostela.
It was a sad time for us but we knew that it was the right choice. At this point I began the remainder of the camino solo. I continued along the camino until I reached a small shrine along the side of the trail. It was quite peaceful and a perfect spot for me to stop and enjoy a snack.
I continued along the camino which was ascending over time, I came to some beautiful views and trails in that area of the camino..
I even met some of the local animals along the camino.
I walked another 20 some kilometres before stopping for the night. It was a day of mixed emotions I was sad not having Shelley with me on this section of the camino. I knew it was only 70 kilometres or so to go and I was excited to finish the last few days to arrive in Santiago.
When we got to Lugo Shelley´s knee was quite sore and swollen. We decided to stay in Lugo for a few days and take a break in the hopes her knee would get better. We were staying in the old town area of the city. This area is within the Roman walls of the city.
We walked along the outside of the fortified wall system until we reached one of the ten entrances in the wall system.
One of the five original Roman gates referred to as the porto de San Pedro
The Roman wall of Lugo was designated a UNESCO world Heritage site in 2000. The walls of Lugo were built in the later part of the 3rd century to defend the Roman town of Lucus Augusti. The entire length of the wall survives intact which is over two kilometres and is the finest example of late Roman fortifications in western Europe.
Outer view of the Roman wall in Lugo
We settled into Lugo for a few days of rest and took short walks the first day to explore some of the city. It was not long before we noticed a very Roman look to parts of the city.
Ray on the Roman chariot
There were several access points along the Roman wall which allowed people to walk along the top of the wall.
One of the access points to the top of the Roman wall
We decided to walk the entire wall exploring the views from the top of the wall.
One of the views from the top of the Roman wall
We walked along the entire wall which is quite large. The wall width is around 4.2 metres (14 ft) and their height varies between 8 metres (26 ft) and 12 metres (39 ft). We took our time and stopped along the way to admire the views and take in the moment.
Shelley on the top of the Roman wall in Lugo
There was some unique and beautiful views from the top of the wall.
We came across a unique part of the wall which had remains of a tower section.
Ray and Shelley at the tower section of the Roman wall
The following day we explored some of the parks and squares of Lugo. We came across some interesting people along the way.
We stoped along our walk and took time to enjoy some refreshments at one of the many bars in Lugo.
Shelley and Ray enjoying a refreshment at one of the bars in Lugo
We came across some great spots to eat and enjoy a refreshing drink. Ray even tried a specialty of Spain called “oreja de cerdo”. It is fried pig ears in a sauce. Ray did not enjoy it because the ears were really spongy and had very little actual meat on them.
Oreja de cerdo
One restaurant even had it´s own Camino Marker inside the restaurant.
Camino marker inside a restaurant in Lugo
We enjoyed our rest and stay over in Lugo, it was time that we could rest up and prepare for the next sections of the camino Primitivo. Shelley´s knee was doing better and so we packed our last evening preparing to start out early the next day to continue the camino adventure.
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