Author: Thom

After following beside it for what seemed like forever, we cross the N-120 and approach the town of Navarrete, surrounded by vineyards. Some of my favourite wines in the world come from this region, a fact that I only learned during this Camino. Right now, we’re mostly looking forward to lunch. Date: 08 April 2013Place: between Logroño and Navarrete (La […]

After the long urban parkland following Logroño, the Camino spends some kilometers running next to the N-120 highway. The scenery is about what you would expect, though normally in Spain you don’t get quite this level of urban sprawl. And then there’s the bull on the hillside, towering over the houses. You can probably work out that this particular piece […]

The urban parkland becomes more and more rural parkland, but there are still reminders – like this sign here for the bicycle route around the golf course – that we’re not out in the countryside quite yet. There’s even some formal parkland yet to come. Date: 08 April 2013Place: leaving Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)

Here’s a closer photo of the shrine I mentioned yesterday. As you can see, it’s a stunningly clothed image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Christ child. This is a reproduction of the statue of Nuestra Señora del Rocío, perhaps originally Our Lady of Remedies, the original of which is located in the Ermita del Rocío in Andalusia. I found her […]

Towards the end of the long urban parkland leaving Logroño, Eamon and I came upon this shrine. The ground in front was covered in offerings in the form of flowers, holy cards, stones, small statues, and prayers written on slips of paper. Tomorrow: a close-up! Date: 08 April 2013Place: leaving Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)

Following a long city slog, we come to a long stretch of beautiful parkland on our way out of Logroño. In addition to Petra, seen here, and the rest of the pilgrims, there were many locals here out for their morning walks. Date: 08 April 2013Place: Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)

This photo probably needs little in the way of explanation, except to say that this is pretty typical of my Camino breakfasts all across Spain: café con leche and whatever the local pastry might be. Or bread. Or Spanish tortilla. I’m not picky. Date: 08 April 2013Place: Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)

The Parlamento de La Rioja building – where the government of La Rioja is located – was once a tobacco factory owned by Tabacalera. This company was originally the Spanish tobacco monopoly. It was founded in 1636, making it the olded tobacco company in the world. This statue near the Parliament building commemorates that history. Date: 08 April 2013Place: Logroño […]

Another example of public art in the towns and cities of the Camino. No idea what it’s supposed to represent, though it might be a sly dig at the building behind us to the left, which is the Iglesia de Santiago el Real – the Royal Church of Santiago in Logroño. Date: 08 April 2013Place: Logroño (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: […]