Mal C

Dia sais / Day 6 ‘Tombstone; the dead village!’ I’ll get to the above shortly but some stats to begin, massive day, because the 17.5 miles, or 28,500 meters for our German brother, we walked today has put us in spitting distance of ‘O Cebreiro’ tomorrow. It’s only 12k or so, but we are walking, sorry climbing upto 1330m from about 600m in the pueblo we are in tonight, place called ‘Las Herrerias’. Guess what? We are in another hotel! Yep the Bath was the deciding factor, but unknown to us it was the 4ft Monk variety. The only win is you have to raise your legs to get your shoulders under, thus forcing the blood from your aching feet… to your Won’t name the place, but Spain as with the uk can be full of contrasts, same everywhere isn’t it? We were heading to our first major town only to follow the route through some hills in a different direction, and we came across it, half crumbling and dilapidated, Camino signs left unloved and barely legible. Liza and I discussed this, the Camino for Spain is a massive commercial boost, and we guess to get some consistent branding it’s likely towns, cities and what we British call hamlets, or Pueblos here, apply for grant money from the Spanish government , well this town given its location, had its branding money but it’s not brought in the Pilgrims, I have to say other than a certain Albergue I stayed in near Logrono some years ago, is the most depressing place in Northern Spain. It pains us to say this We have an early morning competitor who is now a pilgrim companion. Every morning between 5:30 and 6am, she is there in front of us, anyhow we got chatting and her name is Emma, she is from Taiwan, and this is her first Camino, she started in Saint John PDLP, and she did ‘No’ preparation what so ever! She has swapped out her boots in Burgos, and is suffering a bit in the knees, but she is very welcoming and chatty, we also met Jennifer from Colorado, check out the photo below. I will get a picture, but there are two pilgrims who I have named ‘Zapatos Fantásticos’ the brightness of their Footwear can be seen from the moon! Liza saw them in a cafe listening to ABBA… should I put them on a Pilgrim Hit list? Nah loads of great pics today, check out the selection of footwear left by pilgrims, really expensive walking boots just left on the side of the road! Also a pair of Wellington boots… that can’t be right… Luego chicos

Hi Benji, I’ve just edited my pictures from today but before I write today’s text, 20/24 ish kilometres, correct, we did 28.5 kilometres today, so 28,500 meters, or 17.5 miles give or take…

Día Cinco / day 5 today’s camino is being brought to you from Moncloa de San Laázaro, a stunning, I guess you would call ‘Rustic’ hotel in Cacabelos, which is 24k from where we left early this morning. Let’s be honest, if I had been on my own, I would have used a Municipal @ 5 euro every night, but as I’m with Liza it seems we are not gonna slum it, this place has a bed better than my own, the food was the best we have had, the place is absolutely stunning, and the ‘Baneria’ was deep, and plenty big for a six foot pilgrim, the Spanish haven’t got any legs, so to speak, so every Bath in Spain fits a four foot monk! We met a lovely guy this morning, Riccado from northern Italy, just finished his masters and has been taken on by Ernest Young in Germany for his first position, wants to go all the way, wants a CFO job in the future, and good for him. We left him with three things to work on, as the real work starts here! God if I had a penny for every….. lol Anybody hazard a guess what a shop called ‘Grow Shop Hash Skull’ might sell? I saw it and took a pic, check it out below, skate shop maybe? can’t tell but that’s the best shop name we have seen so far! The Welsh might be ahead of us, we have seen ‘Cymru Am Byth ’ on walls, roads, in an albergue we looked at, everywhere! We get it, but as the policía local have a look out for this sort of stuff…might be tricky for em, you know the folks with red dragons on their bags, If it had been me I’d have just printed stickers! What does that say about me I wonder? Grabbed this off the net ‘Cymru am byth’ means Wales forever, and is pronounced come-ree am-bith. Good to discover that the Chinese have what we used to call in the south of Spain ‘Todo shops’ they literally sell everything, you want a trendy T shirt, flip flops, stationary, cutlery, a lead for your dog, a can opener, parasol, they got it… however they are miserable as sin, but for goods that won’t cost more than ten euro, take that every time… Liza is slumming it in the gardens, I’ll post some pics, I’m off for an Alhambra Gold! Hasta pronto

Thought I’d share the stamps in my pilgrim passport, so if you don’t know what this is about, you get a stamp every night you stay at an albergue or shelter , or at churches or pilgrim shops or services. The reason is, you need to have shown this passport to the Pilgrim passport office in Santiago to receive your ‘Compestella’ which is a document written in Latin which dates to the 10th century, confirming you have made pilgrimage to the apostle Saint James, who is interned at the Basilica In Santiago. you need to have walked at least 100 kilometres I think to qualify. Liza’s is one from the passport office in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees, which she got back in 2017/8 it’s taken this long for her to attempt the walk. They are cool things to hang on the walk.

Dígneme! Dia cuatro /day 4 Big day on the mountains today, started at 5:30, and walked through Cruz de Ferro, and across the mountain range down to Molinaseca. That’s 1500m down to about 300m. I did write about this decent last time I did this stretch, it hasn’t changed, it’s about 20k but my god is it hard coming off that mountain, basically a rock run, which never finishes! When it did we hit a pueblo called Acebo, we got breakfast and a sugar hit, I needed it, but that was still 8/9k from where we wanted to be. everybody we have met today, Rikki from northern Italy, Miguel from Madrid and a British guy who I didn’t get his name but he was the first Brit we have spoken to, all pushed onto Ponfereda which is another 8k on from where we are, we just didn’t have it in our legs today to cover that in the afternoon sun. We are currently in a hotel, could not get an albergue, it’s more expensive @57 euros but we have our own ‘baneria’ and some magnesium salts, and we are sitting pretty for a 26k walk tomorrow. below pic shows Cruz de Ferro at 6 this morning,. I guess that’s about 15 meters in height… Buenas noches

Tonight’s update not a great one, we swear the lady who we paid for our stay said dinner was included, so we had dinner, and told the waitress it was included, they both now says it isn’t, so I got a right bollocking from a Spanish albergue owner who all of a sudden has no English, she did earlier. Not a massive deal it was 28 euro, but the ferocity took me back, I didn’t argue the point, but I wish I had now, I’m a bit pissed off, like restaurants in Venice, they don’t care, there will be more pilgrims tomorrow to fleece tomorrows aim is to walk to Ponfereda which is just under 30k, early start again, if we can half that distance by 10am, we can enjoy the afternoon sun, more importantly get our washing on the line… and on that note, somebody stole Liza’s new Calvin Klein bra, don’t know what’s with Foncebadon this year but I’ll be glad to be moving on early light! Luego:-)

Dia tres / day three After the Shenanigans of last night, today has been a sold walk, we were out of the albergue at 6am, and exceded the 20k I mentioned probably around 10. Am, So decided to get up the mountain to Foncebadon which is a small pueblo pretty much on the top of the mountain range consistIng of maybe 4 or so Albergues. The good thing is this place is within reaching distance of Cruz de Ferro at 1504m. I mentioned CDF in my blog on 2018, there is a picture below for reference. So pilgrims carry either a stone or a keep sake that they leave at what can only be described as a pole in the ground, as you can imagine the offerings have grown over time leaving a pyramid shrine to remember, confront, confess. or just plain apologise, for what ever you want to say at special place. More spiritual that catholic I think. It’s a short hop across from there to Manjarin and Collodo de las Antenas and it’s downhill all the way to Molinaseca. I just passed through last time, but it’s a welcome place to get your boots off and into the cold mountain water in the river that splits the town. I might update in a bit, I gotta have have my dinner.

Mick why don’t you give it a go, and report back, I foresee some interesting results.

If you are happy to travel a bit there is a great shop in Saint Sebastian, which is a drive I grant you but worth the visit for the beach, old town and great record shop. I’m in Spain just now, but can’t think of the name of the place, but I was there a few years back, found some great 45 and Lps, When the name returns I’ll post it here malc

update!!!’ it’s now 10pm, and 27 degrees, super hot in here, and Liza just saw a naked dude running around the floor we are on, we are now whispering havIng judged he’s on the outside of our room! You get it all on this blog folks, just wait till we meet Americans they love the goss! Lol I think that streaker has gone away, there are female voices outside our room now ! buenas noches

Dia dos / day two As we could not get the flight we wanted, this camino has started with a day on the train, however we are in Astorga, a wonderful town I have only walked through before. Back then I sampled a quick Cafe solo and a snap of the cathedral which is something else, check out the photos. We are in a convent called Albergue de Peligrinos Siervas de Maria, a fabulous convent and albergue on the edge of town. I had forgotten how some of these places work, most times the owners or nuns in this case will employ somebody to cover admissions as well as have volunteers. So the guy Pedro was hired by the nuns,but the volunteer from Germany can speak several languages, so they argue about who of ‘theirs’ gets the rooms and bunks, hilarious! Pedro wanted the large family from Brasil, but our German volunteer won this round and we got a room with Two bunks to ourselves, and I’ve deffo had the look off Pedro as we came back tonight…. tomorrow we are off to the mountains, Rabanal del Camino to be exact, about 20k which we can clearly see from the city walls. We will probably walk further, but that’s the norm here, guide books and pilgrim maps only go so far. if you are ever in Astorga, do stop it’s a great vibrant town. Buenas Noche chicos

Hello mate, can I take Carltons ? will be in and out all day due to walking, but can sort tonight. malc

Dia uno: Day one is now over, we had a great flight into Bilbao, short bus ride into the centre, and we arrive at our digs pronto. it’s a wonderful city Bilbao, but then you know that! All great but the problem is I just sat on my glasses and they are broken, and I’m totally blind without them. So I’ll tape em up tomorrow and push on! I was really pleased with my Spanish today, I haven’t been here since 2019, but I’ve been having weekly classes ever since, and it shows, just need to listen harder because they talk quick here! Here are a few snaps today, so enjoy lion infested fountains, lurching spiders and more pinchos than you can shake a stick at! I’m knackered, I’m off to bed! hasta mañana chicos

Hi everybody, in recent years when I have walked the Camino in Northern España, I use this forum for my blog, basically as I don’t do any other social media. So, this year Liza and I will be walking from Leon/Astorgo to Santiago, about 260km over 11/12 days. So look out for my daily blogs here, pictures and thoughts from two pilgrims on 'The Way'... btw, if there is anybody on here that lives in Northern Spain, either Castile Leon, Galicia, Asturias, or anywhere en route back to Bilbao, we would love to meet you ¡Buen Camino!

Two from the week before here...some of you might recognise these from my sales lists.

You should flip 'Carefully Checked Your Heart' over for Bobby's version of 'Let's Prove Them Wrong' also done by Debbie Taylor. Do regret selling this one, but Debbie's version is quite cheap and easy to pick up.. First heard the Kay-O 45 via Ted Massey tape, I guess 87/88. Both versions are worthy of course the Kay-O 45 has Jobete on the left there, not present on the GWP release, a stab at saying this might have been a Motown song that they were able to release outside the company? I don't know how that murky world works, but sure some on here do...

Thats one hell of a way to go out...!

Pm'd you

Hi there, two very nice crossover 45's here, Franciene Thomas is a killer, not one on the label you see much. Ray Frazier came out on two label variants, both sound the same to me, this is a great a great track, check out the clips, not the 45's for sale, and check out the reductions in price on these two. ---- Franciene Thomas - To Beautiful to be Good / TRAGAR EX+ £120 £100 Rarer one on the Tragar label, and a killer slowie…some superficial marks nop. Ray Frazier & the Shades of Madness - Your Eyes / Carriage EX+£85 £80 A little rub on the label, hardly noticeable, styrene copy, plays and looks clean. ---- I prefer direct Bank Transfer, but you can pay by PayPal either Friends & Family or add the normal 4% fee. Postage: £4.50 for 1st Class signed for (Within the UK) anything over a ton via Special Delivery, £8.00 (Insured up to £750) within the UK. * If you are outside the UK, just tell me where and I'll quote you via PM, I have rates for the states and Australia straigh to hand. Malc

I was at the Glastonbury Extravaganza yesterday, great show, Lightening Seeds, and Texas... plus a seriously good firework show... bit damper than last year’s festival, but once the sun came out it kicked into life! Never been a fan of Lightening Seeds or Texas, I could not tell you a single one of their songs to be honest, but they were both great acts, obviosuly remembered the hits when I heard them. Sharleen Spiteri certinally has got it, great presence on stage...

Great pics, you can see how much the Mustang had surpassed the early machines from the last 3ts; was the 109 an original, or a Spanish one?

Take The Contessas Dave, pm me

Hi there, this event is on today, just leaned I have an additonal ticket as my son does not want to go. offer a spare childs ticket at £20, cost me £25, happy to meet you in Glastonbury town today to hand it over. Either the Pilgrim pub or by the Market Cross. https://www.glastonburyabbey.com/whats-on/concerts/glastonbury-abbey-extravaganza-2.php Saturday 5th August 2023 When: 4.30pm to 10pm Where: Main Abbey Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza will take place on Saturday 5th August 2023, with a headline performance from Texas, with support from Lightning Seeds and Wells City Band. The event will conclude with the traditional fireworks finale. best Malcolm

Hi folks, after a few upgrades again, need the following LP in very EX++ condition play and sleeves. Darrell Banks - Here to Stay / Stax Jessy Dixon - You Bring the Sun Out / LIGHT, inc 'Love Lifted Me'. Pay £30 for a good copy... ** Happy to swap any of my Sales for anything on my list ** ---- Anybody collect Garage? I know some do, I still need a few Sonobeat label 45's, namely 'The Thingies - Rainy Sunday Morning', and good Thirteenth Floor Elevators 45's must be nice condition! others I need badly, Tol-Puddle Martyrs - Time Will Come / Australian SPIRAL, The Plague - The Face Of Time / Aussie W&G... Aussie wants again... * Prefer demo's, If they have the promo sheet in them, thats a big bonus, in fact if you have any Aussie promo sheets but not the 45, I'll take those also, see example below. * Good quality sleeves, needed, W&G, Astor, Atlantic, Festival (Ampar, Coral, Festival), Chess, Sue, Motown (Orange, with AUS addy on flip).... ete etc... * ANY good White test presses, AMPAR, CORAL, Astor, but good soul, Northerm, Mod, or any really cool Garage, Psych or Surf stuff. ----- Jackie Wilson - Whispers (Getting Louder) / Coral Jackie Wilson - EP with 'open the door' on it. Must be complete with Orig sleeve / Coral Pat Thomas - I can t wait to see my baby's face / Red verve The Four Hi's - Pretty Little Face / The Train / Red verve Fred Hughes - Send my Baby Back / Septre Etta James - Seven Day Fool / Coronet (Green) Astors - Candy / Atlantic The Soul-Jers - Crazy Little Things / W&G (Blue/White) The Exciters - Blowing Up My Mind / RCA (Black) Bettye Swann - Make Me Yours / Astor White Test Press, I have the issue.. Gale Garnett - I'll Cry Alone / RCA (Black) Tony Drake - Suddenly / MCA Garland Green - Angel Baby / MCA Candy And The Kisses - The 81 / Cameo Maxine Brown - Since I Found You / Philips Sam and Bill - I'll Try / Festival (Blue/White) The Jaedes - Uh, Uh, What Did I Do / (Yellow) Festival Mark Williams - A House For Sale / NZ EMI ----- Best wishes Malcolm The Thingies - Rainy Sunday Morning.mp3