4. Andrew's Camino Walk - The French Way 780 Km
Thursday 25th April 2024
UK
3098
Oxford University Society of Gloucestershire
Welcome to OUS Gloucestershire. We are one of the largest OUS groups - with nearly 4,000 members. We typically organise at least one event a month. These are extremely varied, from the annual Boat Race party to musical events, lectures, visits and purely social opportunities.
4. Andrew's Camino Walk - The French Way 780 Km
I am embarking on the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino Frances on 24 April. Starting my walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishing in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, I am hoping the journey will take me approximately 35 days based on an average of 15.5 miles per day.
Standish Consort was founded in December 2022 by OUS Gloucestershire members to encourage those in the area with a passion for singing to advance their musical knowledge and singing virtuosity in a chamber choir environment, lead by our young, enthusiastic conductor Mark Wilson . The choir has grown in strength with alumni from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and friends.
Since the choir’s formation we have had sell-out concerts, with recent performances including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Barber’s Agnus Dei, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Monteverdi’s Vespers. Most recently we performed Zelenka’s Missa Votiva, with Ensemble la Notte, the YouTube video of which garnered over 15,000 views in its first month. We have also sung evensongs at Pembroke College, Merton College, Worcester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral.
Our conductor Mark Wilson, Director of Music at Pembroke College Oxford, leads the choir with soloists drawn from members of the choir. We are often accompanied by George Charman, Organ Scholar at Pembroke College Oxford.
I am raising money for a Bursary to encourage young musicians from Oxford, and Cambridge Universities and others to join. Donations of any size are welcome.
A Cold Morning
Many pilgrims leave their overnight accommodation, mostly without any breakfast, as early as 5.30am when it is just becoming light. This is so as to reach their destinations while there are still beds/bunks available in the very many hostels and hotels along the route. Since I left Pamplona the number of walkers increases as we pass through each town and village and the overnight price also gradually increases. This photo was taken after I had been walking for long enough to warm up and for it to be fully light. The castle on the hill deserved a diversion but I resisted the temptation as the need to secure a comfortable bed was too great.
0 likesRoute Marking
Route Marking Following the Camino route is easy as it is clearly marked in various ways but this way mark is among the more picturesque. The route is also well used and one is rarely alone for long either by catching up with someone or being overtaken. We walk as fast as we are able as places in hostels are booked up very quickly.
0 likes17th May, Astorga to Foncebardon
My Camino journey continues at a pace even though I am suffering from a nasty cold. Today I was able to wear my boots again now the blisters have healed which is fortunate as this area is rather bleak and the road hard on the feet. The weather has started to turn cold and at Astorga it was possible to see snow on the next mountain range where I am headed. With strong winds and temperatures just above freezing I have invested in some warmer clothing for which I am very grateful. Tonight I am staying at Foncebadon at 1430m in cold windy weather with snow/sleet on the way. The last few days travel: Leon toVillar de Mazarife 20.95 Km Villar de Mazarife to Astorga 29.65 Km Astorga to Foncebadon 25.19 Km
0 likesLuxury!
The accommodation varies tremendously from the mats on the floor at the monastery where our clothing and belongings were soaked when the nearby stream flooded through the building and those spartan blue mats on a shelf, to comfortable bunks like these. A Convent even provided a washing machine and tumble dryer as well as edible food in sufficient quantities. Sleeping is not really a problem as all the pilgrims have been exercising outdoors in all weathers to the limit of their endurance. Snoring there may be but everyone is too tired to notice.
0 likesSpanish Bull
Early into the walk, this dramatic animal was seen perched on a hilltop near Navarette, apparently watching the trail. Was it real or was it a sculpture?
0 likesWayside refreshments
Last night I met two elderly Germans who told us they were doing about 75km a day to my amazement. This morning it transpired as they passed me they were doing the Camino on electric bikes! My 20 - 30km a day average now feels more reasonable than it did last night! Companions of the day trying out the local Rioja in Navarette.
0 likesA day of rest and recuperation
Arrived at Leon yesterday after several hours and 23 miles of walking in high temperatures. Today I caught up on laundry which meant that it was fairly bracing for me, outdoors this morning, at less than 10C in shorts and a tee shirt. León Cathedral is a masterpiece of early gothic architecture with more stained glass and light than I've ever seen in a European ecclesiastical building. Spectacular and definitely worth a visit. Tomorrow I walk to Hospital de Orbigo and Puente de Obigo.
0 likesEarly Morning
Progress Report
Progress Check: Since my last post I have had problems with blisters which has meant I have been forced to walk in my sandals; rather like a Roman in my imagination; perhaps like Russell Crowe in Gladiator but without the backpack! Yesterday on top of a high plateau I was hit by a great thunder storm. With no trees or anything higher than my knee I took shelter in a dry drainage ditch whilst being pelted with hail stones, almost the size of golf balls. Whilst under some stress I was able to put my Camino poncho to good use and rigged a make shift shelter. Today was a better day than expected, as to my relief, I managed to find an open chemist on a Sunday. I was then able to stock up on medical supplies giving my feet much pain relief. In the last few days I have completed the following Camino stages: 1. Boadilla des Camino to Carrión de los Condes 24.26 km 2. Carrion de los Condes to Terradillias de los Templarios 26.13 km 3. Terradillias de los Templarios to El Burga Ranero 30.44 km Tomorrow I walk to Leon, 39 kms and look forward to a whole days rest before I start the next stage. Overnight El Burgo Ranero
0 likesStorks
Creams
face cream!
Rushing in the dark this morning I covered my face in Scholl cracked heel cream and my feet with factor 50. It's done wonders for my face as the advert says, it's an effective cream for the relief of cracked dry skin and a quick fix! I will be using it daily henceforth. On the Camino yesterday I walked a total of 18 miles between Hotanas and Boadilla del Camino.
0 likesOpen skies
I walked from Burgos to Hontanas, a total of 29 km / 18 miles.
The Camino is long, painful, hard, cold and hot but at the end of every day is rewarding in so many ways.
0 likesHospitality
San Juan de Ortega to Burgos 25.97km
Yesterday woke up in the Monastery at San Juan de Ortega to find the floor wet along with all my kit from an overnight thunderstorm. Left at 5.30am and trekked through several kms of pine forest in the dark. Saw wild boar and several wild horses! Leaving the forest then found myself moving into dense fog on mountainous terrain. Arrived at the beautiful city of Burgos where I intend to stay for an extra day and dry my equipment and do some essential foot maintenance.
The Camino provides
It is said that the Camino provides the pilgrim and the walker with everything they need. We passed a tap that provides free wine 24 hours a day!
Accommodation in Grenon
£70.00
+£10.00 Gift Aid
raised of £10,000 target
by 4 supporters
Supporters 4
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2 weeks, 2 days
Margaret
Go Andrew!
Band Aid to the ready!
See you in June - lean and mean!£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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S3 weeks, 3 days
Sarah Athey
A journey of a lifetime to support our talented young musicians. You can do this Andrew.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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