The British team arrived in Vilar de Barrio just in the nick of time. The kitty had just run out.

Mike met up with his old school friend Patrick  who he had not seen for 40 years.  Both men agreed they still looked just the same.  A wonderful meal was prepared by Andrea and Emel.  It was great fun meeting all the different characters.

With trepidation we went to bed and waited for the dawn chorus.

In the morning we all went to meet the dogs. The dogs were ready to meet the new walkers. All different shapes and sizes dogs and humans alike. Judy who likes a challenge was going to walk Rompe! Yvonne was walking with Tula, who likes to take the lead. Rob had Paca and Mike enjoyed walking with Moro. Jeannette was surprised to be given two dogs Filou and Luca perfectly behaved greyhounds,

The walk from Vilar de Barrio to Xunqueira de Ambia was 15.5. klms.

The dogs love going on the lead for the walk. The route was through villages and undulating countryside with broom and heather in abundance. We heard our first cuckoo.

The first day was very successful and we are all looking forward to the rest of the week.

Hello, my name is Harpo. I am a dog who will make you happy, because I’m very funny and full of joy. I’m small and handsome, I am one of those you’ll fall in love with, as soon as you meet me. I have a very nice character, I get along with everybody, both two legged and four legged. I am very good with children because I love playing. I am not a puppy anymore but I am still young and very well trained. I won’t damage anything in your house, nor make it dirty. But I need a lot of love!!!!!

Because I will give you love in exchange. I really enjoy walking and now, after doing the Camino with my friends, I am very fit. But I will adapt to your way of life and will be very obedient. Adopt me and you won’t regret it.

They have walked 1200 kilometres for animal rights, they are real heroes, that’s why they deserve the best home, and not having to go back to the animal shelter. They are friendly dogs, very sociable, healthy, intelligent, loyal, and they want to be your best friend.

Alfi, Uno, Perrie, Harpo, Rompe, Paca and Moro are waiting for you.

Castil is a sweet little doggie with a sad story. We found him in Castilblanco de los Aroyos, just about 50 km after Seville, and named him after the place where we found him. He seemed lost, looking for his owner, and finally decided to spend the night around our camp. Next morning we took him to the local vet to find out if he was micro chipped. He was not, and the people of the village told us that he had been thrown out of a car some days ago. We put up signs with his photo and my mobile number, just in case someone would claim him and decided to take him on as a new Camino dog.

He seemed healthy and walked nicely and happy for a day, the following day he started to show signs of illness and got worse rapidly, so we asked our new friends from FEPAEX if they could take him, since we could not care for him properly on the Camino.

Maria Ángeles, the president of FEPAEX took him to the vet and found out that he was terribly ill, he had a Parvovirus and it looked like he would not make it. Maria Ángeles called me twice to get my authorization to put him to sleep, but every time we almost had decided to put him down to free him from his suffering, he got better and looked at Maria Ángels with his sweet eyes saying “please help me, I want to live”. He lost so much weight, what was left of Castil was just bones, but he kept fighting to survive, and survive he did.

He spent over 3 weeks in the veterinary clinic and stays now with Maria Ángels, who is keeping him until we find a new home for him. He is a lovely, sweet and gentle dog, loves Maria Ángels (for a good reason!!!), has put on some weight already and is now out of danger. Ángeles said she has never seen a dog fighting to live like Castil!

Castil’s story has become a symbol for the Camino and for our hopes for the future. Castil has survived and when we got the photos from Maria Ángeles, Silvia and I sat in front of my computer and cried.

The vet’s did a wonderful job, they spent all this weeks taking care of him 24 hours, and they made a special price, but the bill is still up to 1200€ that we need to pay! Please help us to pay Castil’s vet bill:

Account Nr.: 2103 1102 34 0030000789,
IBAN: ES88 2103 1102 3400 3000 0789,
SWIFT/BIC CODE: UCJAES2M

Please put in concept: CASTIL

This is Patrick the Guide back on the road after a couple of days suffering from Shin splints . Thanks to Doctor Andrea for getting me back to great shape. which includes wearing a surgical stocking but worth it to be walking again . At Santa Marta we were joined by four newcomers Maiti and Ingrid from Minorca and Petra and sandra from Austria . The weather was still cold and a bit wet on saturday but we had a good meal in the next village that night before sleeping on mattresses on the floor of the Municipal Albergue . Sunday saw the group tackling a 36 K stretch along the rio tera and then past an embalse where Dietmar cooked a very tasty lunch. One or two had a rest duirng the afternoon section and Maiti had to be rescued later on after getting into difficulties. The day finished in Mombuey at a casa rural where the ladies had to share double beds and Emel and others cooked a carbonara . The weather was already improving and Monday dawned clear and bright albeit frosty. Some of the smaller dogs had not managed to last the night witout doing their business in the cages so Johanna and others had a nasty job cleaning up. The walk to Puebla de sanabria was long (34K)but very enjoyable passing through many small isolated villages with hardly a soul about. Dietmar met us with packed lunches and picked up the casualties . Maiti was again suffering . The afternoon took us through more delightful villages and it was about 5 Pm before we arrived at a nice private albergue at the entrance to Puebla de sanabria . The dogs were in a large field just below and the weather allowed us to sit outside until nearly 9 PM before some of us went up to the beautiful village for a wander and supper in the Posada while others staggered across the road for a “menu”.

Tuesday broke with another beautifully clear crisp morning and we set off up the many steps to the top of the village for some filming and the start of the trek up to the highest part of the whole camino . The waymarks took us away from the road along a bubbling stream full of snow melt from the surrounding mountains and the day just got better and better. After a couple of delightful villages we plunged into a valley and the gradually climbed up along a wooded path towards the 1360 metre high Portillo de Padornelo. This was after a hotdog lunch break provided by the ubiquitous Dietmar . we followed the old road right over the top avoiding a tunnel which one of our guidebooks exhorted us to take and we were not disappointed . Wonderful views east and west .

we were in for a treat that night as we were billetted in a hotel in Padornelo and enjoyed a pleasant evening in bar and restaurant along with narcisso the donkey man who has rejoined us . He is brilliant at assigning nicknames for the 7 weekers which are as follows . Patrick is El salmonete , Jackie is la Ducquesa, Karen la Solitaria , Emel las flores, Mike Bebetinto and David la pipa . He is working on a nickname for Silvia . Johanna found a nice place for the dogs and the support team but some distance away.

Wednesday greeted us with glorious sunshine and Dietmar was parked outside the hotel nice and early with breakfast . Maiti was suffering with a cold and Silvias knee is still not right so we were 11 setting off for what looked like a short day of 18 Kilometres . Uno had a rest as he was limping a little . Harpo is still suffering with a scratched eye after an encounter with Artis . we were soon on a rocky path with lots of water cascading down making life difficult but well worth the effort as we soon reached a village with a working water mill and several old crones and old gaffers with donkeys wandering around . We then arrived at Lubian a charming village where we enjoyed a welcome break in the Plaza before descending to a Ermita in a leafy glade below the autovia . we then started a strenuous ascent to the top of the next pass and arrived to find Dietmar cooking a potato stew . we left Andrea and Sandra at the ermita to make their own way who were not seen again for two hours after we reached the lunch point . It transpired that sandra had fallen into the stream we had to cross and needed to dry her clothes before proceeding onwards. Meanwhile Ingrid had finally managed to access an internet connection in Lubian thanks to a Guardia civil officer. She had somehow managed to overtake the 2 Austrians without seeing them .

After lunch we had a gentle descent to Villavela where I am writing this blog in a comfortable Hostal . The dogs meanwhile are enjoying a sunny afternoon in a field below the hostal, before retiring to their accomodation in the trailer.

Sorry, but this post is not available in English

Sorry, but this post is not available in English

Walking with ADANA’s “El Camino” team from Cáceres to the Embalse de Alcántara was one of the most exciting and emotional experiences in my life. Hermione, Barbara, Marjorie, dog Harry and I had driven up to join them from Estepona. Our fist sight of the walkers was on Plaza Mayor where a few were enjoying a guided tour of the old town. We spotted David, still recognizable with a beard and long hair after the mammoth walk there from the start. We heard of their triumphant entry into Caceres accompanied by some 100 people and their dogs. In Caceres it seems animals are respected and Harry was readily accepted in our hotel booking.

What a dinner that night with fond farewells to departing walkers and welcomes to new ones! How good to see Jackie in super form. Her inflatable mattress and coffee maker are proving invaluable. We enjoyed the chance to meet members of the supportive Extreamdura “Protectora”.

Next morning, Johanna invited us to join them for breakfast. Dietmar’s table of cereals, coffee, fresh bread and jam were being devoured to build up strength for the day’s 31km walk. They stood squeezed between his van and the ADANA trailer with the catching “El Camino” banner string from one vehicle to the other. The dogs, some loose, some a shared running chain, were eating too. The atmosphere was charged.

Nine o’clock. Patrick called the walker to attention, welcomed the newcomers and described the day’s route, “If you run into difficulties, don’t worry”, he assured. “Our support team will rescue you.”

Off we went at a steady pace out of town, Barbara, Harry and I thrilled to be walking with them. We covered grassy flower-studded plains following the Ruta de la Plata, looking out for the pilgrim’s yellow rectangle painted on stone blocks which mark the way. After 13kms we reached Casar de Caceres, the only link we would have with the support team till the end. A charming Palm Sunday procession was passing by. Dietmar handed out lunch boxes and we were away, on our own for the next 18kms.

Patrick is an excellent leader, alert for cattle and sheep, vigilant of his walkers and strict with his rest times. He frequently alerts the German TV crew to capture salient moments. A donkey from Chipiona, a pilgrim’s shell on her halter and a small dog tethered to her cart, has joined the ADANA pilgrimage. When the dog tires, it rests on the donkey’s back.

People from all over the world have joined “El Camino”. Hundreds follow its daily progress on the internet and, with every step, the word of ADANA spreads the message that animals deserve our love and respect. Johanna’s amazing organisation and leadership of the entire project is proving an overwhelming success.

Just 3kms short of the destination, Hermione was called to rescue Harry and 3 ADANA dogs, 2 of which sand wearily into the pile of luggage on the back seat and swiftly devoured the regional cheese she had just bought as a “thank you-2 to our cat sitter.

Well done 10yr old Warren and Sebastian who made it with us till the end, an Albergue overlooking the magnificent Embalse de Alcántara. As we got in the car to drive home, they all prepared for the next day, day 23, in the 7 week challenge. We were proud of 9 year old Harry for achieving 28kms. His shaking legs were calmed that night with Metacam and his dry pads rubbed with paw protector. His effort has raised over 460 € sponsorship.

Sonia