MdC to Sax 25kms

Left at 0730 on what was a cool but sunny day. In fact didn't take my fleece off until 1000!  Easy to follow track that was well marked until I got to Petrer. It is often difficult to follow the Camino signs through cities and this was true here. Got most of the way through then lost the signs. Not helped by the fiesta in progress! No problem as I have a gps track and my mate google. Ultimately found my way through but added about 5 kind to the route, so did 30 kms instead of 25. Track after Petrer was well marked and the last few kms into Sax were a pleasant stroll along a river. Got to Sax at 1300 and stopped for food ( and a large beer). Room not available until 1500 ( which I knew) so just relaxing and sorting things out for my walk to Caudete tomorrow. 

Alicante to Monforte del Cid. About 28 km

Alicante to Monforte del Cid. About 28 km.  Started at 0720 and arrived at 1220. A bit early for my air B&B room but the owner was fine with be arriving early. Quite east to find my way out of the city and after the cemetery there were plenty of yellow arrows to show the way. In fact the amigos de Alicante's guide seems to be very good and well worth the 5 euros. Probably about 60% tarmac and pavement but the rest was nice rugged tracks. After only an hour I had left most of the city behind, and saw pigs wandering around and an hour later I was out in the country.  As I neared Orito there was a sign showing an alternate route to MdC which saved about 2 km so I took that route as it was my planned destination. Air B&B seems a useful tool for Camino's like this that have less albergues di peregrinos  (AdP) to choose from. In fact I'm using it for tomorrow's stop in Sax but hope to stay in the AdP in Caudete the following day. Saw no one else on the track today. 

Camino Sureste starts tomorrow

I leave Alicante in the morning to start my walk.  It's been an interesting city and I'm sure there is a beach somewhere! Despite being a tourist town I can still eat out well (and drink) for less than 25 euros a day which I don't think I could do in uk! Given the reduced value of the £ it seems strange to me that it is still inexpensive here. Also, it's much safer crossing the roads here than in Rottingdean village as at least cars here stop at the pedestrian crossings. In fact cars stop to give way on most roads. Also the wide streets paved with tiles and stone look a lot smarter than Brighton's chewing gum strewn concrete. There is very little litter and everyone seems to be washing the pavement in the morning. In addition, most nights there is someone dancing in the street, last night was tango. The Spanish lessons have been hard work and after 4 to 5 hours a day my brain is numb. I just hope some of it sinks in. However, I will be pleased to leave as I tend to find any city a bit soul destroying. Now let's see what tomorrow brings. 

Alicante- still

Went to find the Amigos de Santiago en Alicante so I knew where they were when they opened on Thursday to find them open!  Typical! However, at least I could get the guide (5euro) which looks very comprehensive with good maps. Just need to massively improve my Spanish to read it all! After 4.5 hrs of lessons today I think my head will explode!

Camino Sureste - the beginning!

Got to Alicante and the room I'm using until Saturday without any dramas. Found the start of the Camino. As usual it's a church! Disconcerting to think that the equivalent of today's drive to the airport will take more than 2 days to  walk and that the whole trip will take more than 5 weeks to get back home!

Decided, its the Camino Sureste

Decision made, I’m going to try to do the Camino Sureste this time from Alicante to Santiago de Compostela (SdC). Approx 1100kms with the highest points around 1350m. This is a less well travelled path so the availability of Albergues (AdPs) is limited, especially for the first section, but there should be enough alternatives such as Hostels and Hotels. Luckily, AirBnB is getting more popular in these locations so that becomes another option. Where there are AdPs and I can find them and they are open I will definitely use them. Previous reports have very few people walking this route so I may welcome the chance of some company that may be found in the AdPs! The Sureste does cross with the Levante from Valencia a few times so that is another opportunity to meet with others. Formally, the Sureste joins up with the Frances in Astorga but I will probably leave that route asap to avoid the crowds and head along the Invierno.

I plan to fly to Alicante on Easter Monday 17 Apr and then do 4 days intensive Spainish lessons before starting the walk on Sat 22 Apr. I want to improve my very basic Spanish as I am likely to need to ask for more directions and other help on this Camino as it is walked relatively little. That said there is an organisation in Alicante dedicated to the Sureste so I plan to visit them while there to get additional information and a guide! I already have some good GPS tracks and a homemade spreadsheet that puts all the info I could find in one place.

Buen Camino!

Winter time - time to plan the next Camino!

I have been looking for another camino to do. Really enjoyed the VdlP and liked walking by myself so looking for a less travelled path. Currently, the Camino Sureste looks favourite which starts in Alicante. Have most the details I need, but the only wrinkle in the plan is the lack of AdP. There are some, but otherwise its mostly hostels and hotels which is fine as long as the stages are not too long and there is a room at the end!