THANK YOU once again for the very supportive messages – what a fabulous group of people you are.
In Pamplona we stayed in an excellent albergue right next to the cathedral. Albergue Plaza Catedral is spotlessly clean and well organised. If only the same could be said of some of the residents! One bloke had his alarm set for 05:00 with a loud annoying ring tone which he managed to sleep through for several minutes, and then he was still hanging around at gone 06:30! Total lack of consideration.
Here are a few pics of the city…
I took the 12:30 bus to Bilbao which left and arrived precisely on time at a cost of just €9.
And now I’ve entered pilgrim heaven, even if it doesn’t last for long. I’m currently in a four bed dorm with no one else having checked in (yet) and I’m going to make the most of having a room to myself for the first time since I left home. And if that wasn’t good enough – there’s pristine white cotton bedding including a duvet. Such luxury!
It may transpire to be a mistake because Latroupe La Granja may well be a decidedly young persons’ hostel with lots of events put on in the basement bar. If the worst comes to the worst I can always plug in to a radio 4 podcast. We shall see!
I decided that my hour of bliss needed to be interrupted by a walkabout. I have passed through Bilbao on camino twice before (and met up with regular commenter Setmeravelles back in 2016), but on neither occasion did I have much time to explore. Both times I walked out on the far (east?) side of the Rio Nervión where I was lucky enough on both occasions to have a bright morning and the Guggenheim museum threw wonderful reflections onto the water. So I decided to walk on the other side of the water and around the outside of the museum this time. I’m not really a museum kind of person so wasn’t tempted to go in. I then sauntered to the Nueva Plaza which was buzzing on a Monday afternoon. It’s quite a lovely place to chill out and update the blog.
When I eventually returned to my room I was hugely relieved to learn that the three other occupants were female – I had been fearing raucous young men. Fingers crossed that the women don’t turn out to be raucous.
When I finish a camino I really just want to go straight home, but that doesn’t always work out. And I have to say that there are worse places to hang out than Pamplona and Bilbao. I had planned to visit Zaragoza before I returned home but I really didn’t have the energy for a side trip. However the camino del Ebro runs through the city so maybe that’s one to consider for the future. I’m also considering walking the Via Augusta from Cadiz to Seville and then on the Via de la Plata from Seville to Mérida. I’ve walked the VdlP when I’ve started from Málaga and from Almería (which join the VdlP at Mérida) but never the first nine stages. And there is also a proposal from our Portuguese camigo Aurelio which I need to look into. So now that I have managed to complete a camino at last I can seriously dream about another next year.
I’ve managed to walk 14 km today to-ing and fro-ing to the bus stations and generally ambling around the city and I am now definitely ready for a good night’s sleep 🤞
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Followed all your Caminos Maggie and hope there are more.
I managed 2 and it is addictive.
Thank you for sharing, Pat
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Safe home Maggie, I do hope you manage many more. Adios for now.
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Thank you for sharing your latest Camino with us. Look forward to the next time.
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I’m glad you got some time to enjoy a bit of post Camino tourism and enjoy Pamplona and Bilbao (and looks like the weather cooperated.) I miss Bilbao so much.
Have a safe journey home, and I look forward to reading more about your Camino adventures.
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Well done Maggie, what a great feat, lovely to read your blog again and the loved the pics of Bilbao and Pamploma. We went through there in 2015 on the way too and on our one and only Camino Frances
thanks so much ❤️
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Maggie, as always I love reading your posts and can almost feel myself striding along side you on the Caminos. You posted lovely floral pictures and all the landscapes. So beautiful. I’m delighted you were able to complete this Camino with little to no problems. It’s such a wonderful feeling. i can’t wait to read more of your adventures. You’re such an inspiration!
Buen Camino always –
Cheri
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So pleased you have found your walking mojo again. Long may it reign! Sleep well and rest up. Melx
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thank you for this wonderful blog. It has bern a great daily read. Dont forget the Olvidado ..so many options.
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I have enjoyed reading every day’s walk – and what beautiful photos you take! I am full of admiration! Maybe we can connect back in Bristol?
Love
Marian
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So wonderful to have you walking and blogging again!
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I’m sad that your walk is finished, I’ve enjoyed reading about it so much – thank
you! x
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Brava! A walk well done! Your writing was a pleasure to read, and your photos a feast for the eyes! Congrats on ticking off yet another great Camino!
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I am planning my first Camino Frances in April 2025 and really appreciated your posts and photos. I hope much of the information is not too outdated. I’m a bit concerned on how to find/choose auberges, but I guess I will learn! It also sounds like the camino has become much more crowded which is concerning. Thank you for sharing.
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Hello Katherine. I’m so sorry for such a late response. Are you walking yet? Hope it goes well. Buen camino
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