Author Archives: lydia

About lydia

An avowed francophile who speaks very broken but earnest French, Lydia is married to Joseph, of ancient Basque and modern Mexican lineage who has spent the past several years studying his Spanish heritage. In the course of their 50 plus years together, they have been abundantly blessed by a wonderful family which now includes 9 grandchildren, many longtime friends, and the desire to search their roots. Since Lydia doesn't have any French roots, her love of France must have come from her highschool teachers and from her father who never lost his ability to recite "The Grasshopper and the Ant" in French. His reading her the horrible wonderful French fairy tales didn't hurt either. Lydia plans their trips and Joe has the power of veto, sometimes! Genealogy research in Spain has led to a wonderful friendship with our Artajona Banales family. Our love of the Camino de Santiago has led to a love of the Camino Real de California. And then, there's always France, and Ireland, and Croatia, and, and.... This blog is an attempt to share some of the stories as they happen to spare their family and friends when they get home. We hope you enjoy it.

May 22 and 23, 2013 Back to Joe’s Roots

May 22 and 23, 2013 Back to Joe’s Roots We picked up our car in Leon without problem. We had two days until we needed to be in Artajona and decided to go to Portugalete, near Bilbao. I called the … Continue reading

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May 24, 2013 Artajona Reunion

May 24, 2013 Artajona Reunion We weren’t sure whether we were supposed to be in Artajona before 3 pm (my understanding) or after 3 (Joe’s understanding) because Jeru had some kind of appointment in Madrid. We were able to get … Continue reading

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May 20, 2013 Rest Day for Lydia

May 20th: An easy day to summarize because I did NOTHING all day! Joe wanted to walk so he took off on the Camino and was gone most of the day. I napped and washed a few things and napped … Continue reading

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May 21, 2013 New Horizons: Leon to Portugalete

May 21, 2013 New Horizons – Leon to Portugalete We took the bus to Leon. It was a long ride and we got to see the rest of the meseta. I would like to have stayed in Sahagun and some … Continue reading

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May 18, 2013 Bus Rides and Blessings

May 18th: We took the 1:30 bus to Fromista along with our new friends except wonder woman Janet who opted to walk 60 km. in 2 days. Buying the ticket was interesting there was an old woman who took it … Continue reading

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May 17, 2013 New Sights, New Experiences, New Thoughts

May 17, 2013 New Sights, New Experiences, New Thoughts May 17th: We decided to stay in Burgos another day. The girls invited me to go with them to Santo Domingo de Silos to hear the monks sing Vespers. These are … Continue reading

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May 16, 2013 New Chapter in an Old Book

May 16,2013 Burgos and a New Chapter in an Old Book We reluctantly left our kind hostess and took a taxi to Burgos to the Norte y Londres Hotel. Eventually we are reunited with our new friends Susan, Anundi, Linda, … Continue reading

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May 19, 2013 The Meseta, Pumpkin Soup, and Suckling Lamb

May 19, 2013 The Meseta, Suckling Lamb, and Pumpkin Soup We left Fromista separately, Joe walking and me by taxi. We sent our packs ahead to Real Monasterio San Zoilo, not a Paradore but almost. I bade a final farewell … Continue reading

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May 15, 2013 Ages and Atapuerca

May 15, 2013 Ages and Atapuerca We put our plan into practice and all goes well. The albergue/pension is run by the sweetest woman who welcomes us with a hug and a cup of cafe con leche. We get settled … Continue reading

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May 14, 2013

May 14, 2013 Lessons in Humility and Acceptance I am sadly having to admit that my capabilities are not what they used to be. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” was never truer. Today’s plan is to … Continue reading

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