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From late March to early May 2016, I walked THE CAMINO FRANCES from Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the French / Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain, a distance of almost 800 kilometres.There are hundreds of waymarkers

From late March to early May 2016, I walked THE CAMINO FRANCES from Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the French / Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain, a distance of almost 800 kilometres.There are hundreds of waymarkers along the Camino De Santiago. The shell is the symbol of the Camino, 'brand' colours are yellow and blue.
There are markers all along the Camino Frances. Some are hand painted…

There are markers all along the Camino Frances. Some are hand painted…
Some handmade yellow arrows are ornate...

Some handmade yellow arrows are ornate...
Some markers are minimalist but immediately understood.

Some markers are minimalist but immediately understood.
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT . On the way down the hill, on the left, just before the clock tower.

SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT. On the way down the hill, on the left, just before the clock tower.
Departure morning, Easter Saturday, Saint Jean.

Departure morning, Easter Saturday, Saint Jean.
PAMPLONA town hall.

PAMPLONA town hall.
Many towns have Camino markers set into the pavement along the Camino path. These are in Pamplona.

Many towns have Camino markers set into the pavement along the Camino path. These are in Pamplona.
This sculpture of pilgrim silhouettes is on ALTO DEL PERDON , a hilltop west of Pamplona, which appears here in the distance.

This sculpture of pilgrim silhouettes is on ALTO DEL PERDON, a hilltop west of Pamplona, which appears here in the distance.
The sculpture was commissioned by the energy company which installed the windmills.

The sculpture was commissioned by the energy company which installed the windmills.
VIANA , a typical small town, a few kms east of Logroño.

VIANA, a typical small town, a few kms east of Logroño.
Viana, Iglesia de Santa Maria.

Viana, Iglesia de Santa Maria.
VIANA . Taking a break on a Saturday morning.

VIANA. Taking a break on a Saturday morning.
Stone upon stone, like a cathedral.

Stone upon stone, like a cathedral.
Small cairns left by pilgrims near NUESTRA SENORA DEL POYO .

Small cairns left by pilgrims near NUESTRA SENORA DEL POYO.
Remembering.

Remembering.
The Civil War Memorial at Villafranca Montes de Oca.

The Civil War Memorial at Villafranca Montes de Oca.
On a road through a timber plantation, approaching SAN JUAN DE ORTEGA . The greeting "Buen Camino" is used by all walkers along the Camino.

On a road through a timber plantation, approaching SAN JUAN DE ORTEGA. The greeting "Buen Camino" is used by all walkers along the Camino.
The Meseta.

The Meseta.
The Meseta

The Meseta
The MESETA , the high central plain which begins just west of BURGOS. This is near RABE DE LAS CALZADAS .

The MESETA, the high central plain which begins just west of BURGOS. This is near RABE DE LAS CALZADAS.
CALZADILLA DE LOS HERMANILLOS . A very wet day on the Meseta.

CALZADILLA DE LOS HERMANILLOS. A very wet day on the Meseta.
LEON , in a narrow street behind the cathedral, this wall seemed to tell a story. A rubble wall made of discarded material from the cathedral build?

LEON, in a narrow street behind the cathedral, this wall seemed to tell a story. A rubble wall made of discarded material from the cathedral build?
A few kilometres to Cruz de Ferro…

A few kilometres to Cruz de Ferro…
CRUZ DE FERRO .

CRUZ DE FERRO.
Momentos…

Momentos…
Travelers’ momentos at Cruz de Ferro.

Travelers’ momentos at Cruz de Ferro.
Cruz de Ferro is one of the best known locations on the Camino. Thousands of people leave stones and messages here at 1,500m.

Cruz de Ferro is one of the best known locations on the Camino. Thousands of people leave stones and messages here at 1,500m.
Wine country near Ponferrada.

Wine country near Ponferrada.
TRABADELO .

TRABADELO.
Trabadelo.

Trabadelo.
LAGUNA DE CASTILLA .

LAGUNA DE CASTILLA.
High country east of O’Cebreiro.

High country east of O’Cebreiro.
A palloza at O'CEBREIRO.

A palloza at O'CEBREIRO.
Another palloza in O'CEBREIRO.

Another palloza in O'CEBREIRO.
A palloza at O’Cebreiro.

A palloza at O’Cebreiro.
Early morning, on the way to SAMOS from TRIACASTELA .

Early morning, on the way to SAMOS from TRIACASTELA.
TOXIBO , a foggy morning but it's burning off to reveal a sunny day.

TOXIBO, a foggy morning but it's burning off to reveal a sunny day.
Sunny spring days. The crossing at MELIDE , looking east. On to ARZUA and A RUA .

Sunny spring days. The crossing at MELIDE, looking east. On to ARZUA and A RUA.
Springtime in Galicia.

Springtime in Galicia.
Galicia

Galicia
A wet and misty morning in Galicia.

A wet and misty morning in Galicia.
A hard day on The Camino. west of Sarria.

A hard day on The Camino. west of Sarria.
Arrival in Santiago de Compostela after walking almost 800kms.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela after walking almost 800kms.
Monday May 2nd,  SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA .

Monday May 2nd, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
The Holy Door. Behind the altar.

The Holy Door. Behind the altar.
During the Pilgrim Mass, preparing to swing the BOTAFUMEIRO , or incense burner.

During the Pilgrim Mass, preparing to swing the BOTAFUMEIRO, or incense burner.
Highest point.

Highest point.
The Botafumeiro in full flight swings almost to the cathedral ceiling.

The Botafumeiro in full flight swings almost to the cathedral ceiling.
On the Atlantic coast west of Santiago, is Finisterre.

On the Atlantic coast west of Santiago, is Finisterre.
On the Atlantic shoulder of northwestern Spain, this section of the Galician coast is on the westernmost edge of continental Europe. FINISTERRE means "End of the earth".

On the Atlantic shoulder of northwestern Spain, this section of the Galician coast is on the westernmost edge of continental Europe. FINISTERRE means "End of the earth".
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From late March to early May 2016, I walked THE CAMINO FRANCES from Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the French / Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain, a distance of almost 800 kilometres.There are hundreds of waymarkers along the Camino De Santiago. The shell is the symbol of the Camino, 'brand' colours are yellow and blue.

There are markers all along the Camino Frances. Some are hand painted…

Some handmade yellow arrows are ornate...

Some markers are minimalist but immediately understood.

SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT. On the way down the hill, on the left, just before the clock tower.

Departure morning, Easter Saturday, Saint Jean.

PAMPLONA town hall.

Many towns have Camino markers set into the pavement along the Camino path. These are in Pamplona.

This sculpture of pilgrim silhouettes is on ALTO DEL PERDON, a hilltop west of Pamplona, which appears here in the distance.

The sculpture was commissioned by the energy company which installed the windmills.

VIANA, a typical small town, a few kms east of Logroño.

Viana, Iglesia de Santa Maria.

VIANA. Taking a break on a Saturday morning.

Stone upon stone, like a cathedral.

Small cairns left by pilgrims near NUESTRA SENORA DEL POYO.

Remembering.

The Civil War Memorial at Villafranca Montes de Oca.

On a road through a timber plantation, approaching SAN JUAN DE ORTEGA. The greeting "Buen Camino" is used by all walkers along the Camino.

The Meseta.

The Meseta

The MESETA, the high central plain which begins just west of BURGOS. This is near RABE DE LAS CALZADAS.

CALZADILLA DE LOS HERMANILLOS. A very wet day on the Meseta.

LEON, in a narrow street behind the cathedral, this wall seemed to tell a story. A rubble wall made of discarded material from the cathedral build?

A few kilometres to Cruz de Ferro…

CRUZ DE FERRO.

Momentos…

Travelers’ momentos at Cruz de Ferro.

Cruz de Ferro is one of the best known locations on the Camino. Thousands of people leave stones and messages here at 1,500m.

Wine country near Ponferrada.

TRABADELO.

Trabadelo.

LAGUNA DE CASTILLA.

High country east of O’Cebreiro.

A palloza at O'CEBREIRO.

Another palloza in O'CEBREIRO.

A palloza at O’Cebreiro.

Early morning, on the way to SAMOS from TRIACASTELA.

TOXIBO, a foggy morning but it's burning off to reveal a sunny day.

Sunny spring days. The crossing at MELIDE, looking east. On to ARZUA and A RUA.

Springtime in Galicia.

Galicia

A wet and misty morning in Galicia.

A hard day on The Camino. west of Sarria.

Arrival in Santiago de Compostela after walking almost 800kms.

Monday May 2nd, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

The Holy Door. Behind the altar.

During the Pilgrim Mass, preparing to swing the BOTAFUMEIRO, or incense burner.

Highest point.

The Botafumeiro in full flight swings almost to the cathedral ceiling.

On the Atlantic coast west of Santiago, is Finisterre.

On the Atlantic shoulder of northwestern Spain, this section of the Galician coast is on the westernmost edge of continental Europe. FINISTERRE means "End of the earth".
From late March to early May 2016, I walked THE CAMINO FRANCES from Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the French / Spanish border to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain, a distance of almost 800 kilometres.There are hundreds of waymarkers
There are markers all along the Camino Frances. Some are hand painted…
Some handmade yellow arrows are ornate...
Some markers are minimalist but immediately understood.
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT . On the way down the hill, on the left, just before the clock tower.
Departure morning, Easter Saturday, Saint Jean.
PAMPLONA town hall.
Many towns have Camino markers set into the pavement along the Camino path. These are in Pamplona.
This sculpture of pilgrim silhouettes is on ALTO DEL PERDON , a hilltop west of Pamplona, which appears here in the distance.
The sculpture was commissioned by the energy company which installed the windmills.
VIANA , a typical small town, a few kms east of Logroño.
Viana, Iglesia de Santa Maria.
VIANA . Taking a break on a Saturday morning.
Stone upon stone, like a cathedral.
Small cairns left by pilgrims near NUESTRA SENORA DEL POYO .
Remembering.
The Civil War Memorial at Villafranca Montes de Oca.
On a road through a timber plantation, approaching SAN JUAN DE ORTEGA . The greeting "Buen Camino" is used by all walkers along the Camino.
The Meseta.
The Meseta
The MESETA , the high central plain which begins just west of BURGOS. This is near RABE DE LAS CALZADAS .
CALZADILLA DE LOS HERMANILLOS . A very wet day on the Meseta.
LEON , in a narrow street behind the cathedral, this wall seemed to tell a story. A rubble wall made of discarded material from the cathedral build?
A few kilometres to Cruz de Ferro…
CRUZ DE FERRO .
Momentos…
Travelers’ momentos at Cruz de Ferro.
Cruz de Ferro is one of the best known locations on the Camino. Thousands of people leave stones and messages here at 1,500m.
Wine country near Ponferrada.
TRABADELO .
Trabadelo.
LAGUNA DE CASTILLA .
High country east of O’Cebreiro.
A palloza at O'CEBREIRO.
Another palloza in O'CEBREIRO.
A palloza at O’Cebreiro.
Early morning, on the way to SAMOS from TRIACASTELA .
TOXIBO , a foggy morning but it's burning off to reveal a sunny day.
Sunny spring days. The crossing at MELIDE , looking east. On to ARZUA and A RUA .
Springtime in Galicia.
Galicia
A wet and misty morning in Galicia.
A hard day on The Camino. west of Sarria.
Arrival in Santiago de Compostela after walking almost 800kms.
Monday May 2nd,  SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA .
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.
The Holy Door. Behind the altar.
During the Pilgrim Mass, preparing to swing the BOTAFUMEIRO , or incense burner.
Highest point.
The Botafumeiro in full flight swings almost to the cathedral ceiling.
On the Atlantic coast west of Santiago, is Finisterre.
On the Atlantic shoulder of northwestern Spain, this section of the Galician coast is on the westernmost edge of continental Europe. FINISTERRE means "End of the earth".