The 500 mile Spain trek - Update

Hi there and greetings from the Camino de Santiago de
Compostella in rural Spain!


Today we have reached the half way point (Tempranillos
de Templarios) and have found a good computer so we
can finally write you all an update! What an epic
journey this is, it just seems to go on and on (we
feel like we´ve been walking for months already but
it´s been only 3 weeks!).


From the first day climbing over the Pyrenees, a
gruelling hike in the cold, fog and rain, to a very
hot 33 C yesterday, walking 17km across the mountain
plains without any shade - the hardships, the fun and
lots of time to contemplate life.


We´re now passing through the arid central plains of
Spain, it´s dry, brown and the sun is unrelenting.
It´s like being in another time out here - little
villages almost untouched by the modern world, rolling
fields of gold, and little pueblos(villages) with
traditional mud buildings.


One night when there was no room at the inn, we slept
outside on the grass, beneath the stars, 2
streetlights and the 15 minute dongs of the
churchbells. Surprisingly we all slept rather well and
rose before the larks, off on the road by 5.50am the
next day, guided by the milky way.


On arriving in the next town, Viana, at 9am, we
stopped for coffee and ran into full fiesta -
fireworks full of sweets, lots of wine and James and
Nick running the bulls! Looking rather scared but
adorned with traditional red neck-kerchiefs and
fortified with the local fire water (Pacharan)!, they
made it through and we finished the day dancing with
all the Grannies to the local rock band in the square!


Up again at 6.30am and on the road again.. and so it
goes on.


We are lucky to be doing this but have a serious
motivation for walking 500 miles, to raise funds for 2
local charities in Peru and Bolivia working to help
vulnerable children have a better start in life
through education and a safe home.


Thanks if you have already sponsored us. We are hoping
to raise 1500 pounds towards a new school for children
in a mountain village, outside Lima in Peru. This will
be the first time these children will have the chance
for an education and all the opportunities this
brings. We are also raising funds for an orphanage in
Cochabamba, Bolivia and more specifically for an
urgent ear operation for Dario, one of the children
there.


If you haven´t sponsored us and would like to please
click on the donate button below.





Very best wishes to all

James and Caroline