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Pamplona 

Hemingway, running with the bulls, historic architecture and a military citadel are just some of the places to explore whilst you're in Pamplona. 

Pamplona is the capital of the Navarra region in the north of Spain. The town is famous for its Running with the Bulls Festival, known as San Fermin. It is a week-long festival, held in July of each year, on a course that measures 875m and runs through the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Six fighting bulls and six tame oxen, wearing bells, are released into the streets to chase the runners who are dressed in traditional costume of white clothes and red bandanna. The whole run lasts only a few minutes but the festival continues with dancing, drinking, eating, parades and nightly fireworks.

Inside the city walls stands a 16th century military citadel. A pentagon-shaped fortress, it was ordered to be built by King Felipe II in 1571 and designed by the military engineer Giacomo Palearo. The star shaped points were able to control any possible angles of attack. Although the citadel has never encountered any severe defensive attacks, it has been taken once during Napoleon's reign. The Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s was the last time the citadel was used and Pamplona was demilitarised by the mid-1960s. Today the citadel sits inside a public park with cultural activities taking place in the remaining buildings. In 1973 it was declared a Natural Historic-Artistic Monument. 

For the fans of Ernest Hemingway, a visit to Café Iruña is a must if for no other reason than to take a photo with his eternal statue standing at the bar. Built in 1888 and the first establishment to have electricity, Hemingway immortalised the cafe in his first novel, The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway loved Pamplona so much that in a span of four years from 1923-27 he visited it no less than nine times. 

If you have any time left, take a meander throughout the Old Town and admire its old city walls and architecture before you push on to Estella and its Romanesque architecture. 

Across the statue of Virgen d'Orisson (Virgin of Orisson) reportedly carried from Lourdes by shepherds and if you listen carefully you might hear the sheep bells ringing in the countryside. 

Take a break and rest your legs before you push on to Roncesvalles and we'll see you in Pamplona and the Running with the Bulls Festival.

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Napoleon Route 

Named after Napoleon Bonaparte, the route was of strategic importance during the Napoleonic Wars in early 19th century as a means of crossing into Spain. Although, Emperor Charlemagne is recorded as having crossed this route approximately 1000 years earlier during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. Given that Charlemagne united the majority of western and central Europe in the Early Middle Ages, it is thought that he served as a source of inspiration to Napoleon in his own quest to rule Europe.

Whilst an arduous mountain crossing over the Roncevaux Pass, the pilgrims have for many centuries been using the route due to its lack of trees and limited places for bandits to hide; unlike the heavily wooded valley route through Valcarlos. 

Beginning with a constant ascent for 20km, the Napoleon Route promises mountain meadows and spectacular mountain views interspersed with country houses. Just outside of Orisson you will come across the statue of Virgen d'Orisson (Virgin of Orisson) reportedly carried from Lourdes by shepherds and if you listen carefully you might hear the sheep bells ringing in the countryside. 

Take a break and rest your legs before you push on to Roncesvalles and we'll see you in Pamplona and the Running with the Bulls Festival.

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Welcome to the Camino de Santiago Challenge, a 480mi/774km journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port in the foothills of the French Pyrenees to the heart of every pilgrims destination, St James of the Field of Stars Cathedral in Santiago De Compostela, Spain. The Camino Frances route holds a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. 

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 

Are you ready Pedro? Great, let's begin with your arrival in Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port. A town in the foot of the Pyrenees mountain range, it has been a meeting point for Camino pilgrims since the 10th century. Entrance was via the Porte Saint-Jacques, the city gate, which entered the UNESCO World Heritage register in 1998. 

 Destroyed by Richard the Lionheart's troops in 1177, it was rebuilt in late 12th century as part of the Spanish Kingdom of Lower Navarra. Ownership changed numerous times over the centuries until late 18th century when the Kingdom of Lower Navarra was abolished and the town remained in French hands. 

 Pilgrims began their journey from the church Notre-Dame du Bout du Pont, crossed River Nive on Pont Saint Jean (bridge) and down Rue d'Espagne to finally exit the town through Port d'Espagne. Here they decided whether to take the Napoleon Route across the mountains or via the valley through the village of Valcarlos. 

 Which route will you find yourself on?

camino de Santiago virtual challenge

Oito semanas (56 dias) para percorrer 773,9km... tento fazer em metade? GO!

barboseiras

O presidente do Automóvel Clube de Portugal (ACP) conseguiu dar uma entrevista para o jornal i, sobre uma matéria tão importante nos dias de hoje que, até teve direito a ser tema de capa... e, se tudo isto não fosse já suspeito (não haverá nada mais importante a acontecer no país que não seja a opinião de um clube qualquer?), o Barboseiro consegue, em poucas respostas, ter ganas de queimar o cartão do ACP e enviar-lho pelo correio para que "faça com ele o que lhe aprouver". 

Desde defender os veículos particulares movidos a gasóleo (quando essas mecânicas estão referenciadas como cancerígenas), defender o endividamento das famílias em prol da aquisição de um novo automóvel (a sério?!), defender que o lugar das mulheres é em casa (mais especificamente, na cozinha), a considerar um estupidez haver zonas vedadas ao trânsito automóvel, depois de já ter conseguido "inventar" números de mortos em trotinetas, de considerar as vítimas dos automóveis (porque o automóvel é o predador natural do ser humano) como os culpados dos "acidentes" (sinistros, porque a estupidez ao volante não é acidente)... este homem é especialista no que toca a proferir baboseiras... Carlos Barboseiras, o ás do disparate!