Author Archives: Woodswoman

About Woodswoman

Writer, educator, psychotherapist, woodswoman. Crave solitude and just walked the Camino de Santiago from the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela. Long-term partner, Neil. Three grown kids, one traveling the world for a couple of years (see theparallellife.com), and two in other countries . . . Thailand and Texas! One Golden Retrievers and two cats. Avid reader, looking for 10 more hours in each of my days.

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela – The end of the road

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Woodswoman

NOTE:  My apologies for getting this last segment finished a month after I actually arrived in Santiago.  My time away is paid for dearly with piles of work once I get back home.  So here it is, finally. Saturday, September … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany | 9 Comments

Faramello and a bit of Italian!

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Woodswoman

Friday, September 28.  From Padron, it’s an easy walk out with the usual mist and fog, and as usual, it will be cool until the fog disappears.  Then the sun will blast bright and beautiful, but hard on an oldish … Continue reading →

Posted in Albergues on the Camino, Animals, Camino de Santiago, Women Walking | 5 Comments

Caldas de Reis to Padron

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Woodswoman

Thursday, September 27. As always we are up and out, today to Padron and Hostal Flavia, just at the south edge of town, a block before a huge fresh market with the smell of fish everywhere. Even fresh fish has … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellany | 6 Comments

From Meson to Caldes De Rei – The Hoards Join Us

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Woodswoman

Wednesday, September 26.  Up early today and out of the Hotel Madrid.  I am seeing the beginnings of a huge influx of new pilgrims . . . those on big buses, buses that carry HUGE suitcases for each peregrino, while … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian Sunsets, Backpacks, Camino Portugues, Wine tasting, Women Walking | 3 Comments

Pontevedra, Day Two

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Woodswoman

Tuesday, September 25. Today we stay in Pontevedra, but move to the Hotel Madrid. We walked most of the day, in between check–out and check-in, and I try to write a bit, but the wifi in this location sucks. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Hostals and Hotels, Pontevedra, Spain, Women Walking | 3 Comments

Pontevedra and A Michelin Recommended Restaurant

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Woodswoman

Monday, September 24.   Ria sets out fairly early because it will be a long day, but I have laundry to do at a real Laundromat, a 1.5 kg box to mail to myself, and find a way to catch up. … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Pontevedra, Spain, Women Walking | 1 Comment

Ordinary Day, Not Such Ordinary Thoughts . . .

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Woodswoman

Sunday, September 23. Escape from Rosa and her mincing farewell to us, scout out a nearby café for tea and tostas, headed for Arcade. We have mapped out our route, cutting some of the stages in half because of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Spain, What Goes on in the Mind, Women Walking | 2 Comments

Redondela, Rosa, and Our “Private Room”

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Woodswoman

Saturday, September 22 – Breakfast at the Hotel Arco’s café, run by Manuel’s daughter. She too tells me about her mother (Manuel’s wife) walking from Sarria to Santiago in three days. 100 km in three days. I ask, “WHY?” and … Continue reading →

Posted in Albergues on the Camino, Backpacker beware, Camino de Santiago, Dorm life, Oldish world traveling, Redondela Rosa, Spain, Women Walking | 6 Comments

Into The Woods . . . for awhile

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Woodswoman

  Friday, September 21 – Ria, Michael and I, along with the other Albergue guests, walked out early today in deep fog.  62 degrees and 99% humidity. A common theme for the coast, I guess. The paltry breakfast at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago, Spain, Women Walking | 4 Comments

Across The Portuguese/Spanish Border

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Woodswoman

Thursday, September 20. I’ve been thinking about how very different this Camino is . . . not only that I’ve been in Portugal rather than Spain, thus far.  Not only that I’m on a beach boardwalk for the most part, … Continue reading →

Posted in Albergues on the Camino, Beautiful seafood, Boardwalks and sand paths, Camino de Santiago, Camino Portugues, Hiking oceanfront, Oldish world traveling, Spain, What Goes on in the Mind, Women Walking | 4 Comments