Deba to Markina Xemein 23kms

Friday 22nd May 2015


Guess what 3hrs of drizzling rain, my legs are on fire, and the mud! Now it takes 3hrs to traverse 9kms, I end up on my knees in the mud as we slip slid to Markina. Albergue is in Carmelite convent, which does not open until 1500 hrs, the beer tastes good so does the pintxos. Washing mud of clothes every day. Hotel Vega gave us a nice bottle of Rioja tinto joven with dinner, perfect. Most peregrinos hitting the sack early, we are all worn out. Climbing felt worse than yesterday.

mud

albergue



Zarautz to Deba 24 kms

Thursday 21st May 2015


Heating was on in the room so the washing dried. Good views over the coast. Mud and more mud and steep, my legs burn for most of the day, more Via Romano, 2kms from Deba the rain starts, the town is so steep we use 2x elevators to descend  into old part of town. Albergue is on 1st floor of the railway station different.

coastline

albergue

San Sebastion to Zarautz 22kms

Wednesday 20th May 2015


Depart  at 0700 a steep climb out of town then the mud starts plus aroma de cow, then on Via Romano which a terrible on the feet. It gets colder as the rain increases it takes 4hrs to do 16kms slow by previous standards. Legs are burning. Youth Hostel in Zarautz full, share a room in pension, town is pretty, they are holding childrens races around the streets in the early evening, streets are full of people, more rain.



Via Romana





Zarautz iglesia

Irun to San Sebastion 26 kms

Tuesday 19th May 2015


Depart at 0700 after 1hr the rain tumbles down, a steady climb to Sanctuario de Guadalupe, then a brutal climb through muddy paddocks compensated for by the great vistas over the coastline. Weather deteriorates fog, temp drops to12c, freezing wind, bucketing rain. Steep descent to Pasia Donibane, ferry across the river then more climbing. You can play the drums on my calves they are so tight. San Sebastion is not so attractive when its cold and wet. Check into Youth Hostel, and have a cheap meal at local club, 3 courses including a bottle of vino for $10 wow.

route markers







the coastline showing the river border between France and Spain

boat crossing Pasai Donibane - San Pedro

To IRUN

Monday 18th May 2015

To Irun

The train trip from Madrid was comfortable but uneventful arriving in Irun just before 1400, only problem the albergue opens at 1600hrs. The town is unremarkable, friendly hospitalero in albergue, it fills quickly going into the overflow area. Note the Basque language.

The Route from Irun via Ribadeo to Santiago de Compostela