Spain – Page 2 – Hebridean Imaging

Arriving and getting settled

Posted on February 4, 2018March 11, 2018 by YvonneB

Our first full day down south here in Andalusia. Had a ride around at La Janda and then later on at Barbate.

There are still plenty of Cranes at La Janda plus a Black Stork. I’ll just let the photos tell the story…

Hebridean Imaging - Yvonne Benting - Bird Photography - Spain - Little Owl - La Janda — Little Owl

Hebridean Imaging - Yvonne Benting - Bird Photography - Spain - Black Stork - La Janda — Black Stork

Hebridean Imaging - Yvonne Benting - Bird Photography - Spain - Common Cranes - La Janda — Common Cranes

And at Barbate

Hebridean Imaging - Yvonne Benting - Bird Photography - Spain - Bluethroat - Barbate — Audouin’s Gulls – Barbate

Hebridean Imaging - Yvonne Benting - Bird Photography - Spain - Chiffchaff - Barbate — Chiffchaff

People often ask me what bird field guide do I use in Spain, well, I use the same one that I use for the UK, which is, in my opinion the best of all for Europe.

I usually carry the paperback version with me while out and about and have the hardback at home.

I also have this one though these days I pretty much know where to go and I have my own personal favourite spots

My equipment for bird photography: Canon 1DX Mk.II with 600mm lens and Canon 2x Extender

The compact flash card I use is this one, the Sandisk Extreme Pro, and I like it a lot, I have no problems with it buffering

Sticky post – Annual break

Posted on January 21, 2018July 12, 2018 by YvonneB

Just to let you know that I will be away during February and March 2018 as i’m heading down to Southern Spain on my annual break. following that I have some family commitments on the mainland. Any orders placed via the website are unlikely to be fulfilled until I return mid April.

I shall be taking photographs daily for my 2018 Photo365 Project which I will update weekly on here and I will no doubt (depending on the internet situation) Tweet some of my favourites – i will also be adding images now and again to Instagram.

My 2018 mobile phone Photo365 Project

My Twitter feed

My Instagram

Music time!

Posted on October 1, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

My first lie in since I can remember – weeks!! Around midday after Facetime with DD#1 I wandered into and all around the old town. a long line of pilgrims queuing up for their compostelas.

Had coffee in the sun and continued my wandering and exploration of the shops. Found that the market is close to where my apartment will be, also had coffee at the nearest bar to the apartment.

A siesta in the afternoon then back off out to find something to eat. Randomly chose a bar in a square behind the cathedral. Excellent salad (ensalada Quintana) and was entertained by music students who were being filmed. I love this city!!

Still alternating between being bunged up and snotty, throat marginally better. spoke to dad, he’s 83 today 🙂

Cirueña to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Posted on September 25, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: Cirueña -> Santo Domingo de la Calzada 4 miles (a “rest” day)

A gorgeous sunrise over the distant mountains and a hugs and kisses goodbye from the owner of the albergue made for a good start to what was going to be an easy rest day.

The morning air was slightly chill and I was glad of my fleece. The fields were, once again, full of singing Corn Buntings – how lovely to hear them, they are getting so scarce at home. The colours and textures of the landscape were just beautiful.

Arrived not long after 10am in Santo Domingo and had coffee and tapas for breakfast. It was still too early to check in anywhere so P and J went for a mooch around.

I had booked a room at the hotel – El Corregidor and once I was checked in had a lovely bath and a rest then headed out again for more tapas. P and J were staying in the albergue opposite which is run by Cistercian nuns – I stayed there last time and didn’t much fancy it again.

Wandered around the lovely shops in the town – I have to say I love this town and plan on staying here for a night next year on my long drive down from the UK to southern Spain.

Had a meal together then back to my hotel for an early night.

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago — Walking to Santo Domingo, the “way” stretching out in front of us.

San Sol to Viana

Posted on September 21, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: San Sol -> Viana (8.2 miles)

I woke feeling quite dehydrated so P and J walked on and I visited the wee shop in San Sol for a can of soft drink then stopped a mile up the road at Torres del Rio for coffee, fresh juice and water. During the 7.5 miles walk to Viana my stomach felt uncomfortable and I feel quite tired. I think it’s the heat and lack of a decent meal – my diet is so restricted because of my ulcerative colitis.

The hotel in Viana was fully booked so i’ve plumped for a 2 inch thick mattress on the floor at the parochial albergue Santa Maria. No pillows either. It was J’s choice to stay here so P and I ribbed and teased her terribly but we all had a great laugh 😀

The back adjustment on my rucksack has broken so i’ve tied it up with string. Enjoyed my first pilgrim meal of the trip at the 3 forks restaurant Casa Armendáriz and very nice it was too!

Monjardín to San Sol

Posted on September 20, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: Monjardín -> San Sol (12 miles)

A good walk into Los Arcos where we rested for a while, rehydrating and then onwards in the heat of the day as far as San Sol.

Nice private albergue and we joined the queue for the washing machine. A little limited on the food and drink options here but I had some supplies with me so no problem.

Lorca to Villamajor de Monjardín

Posted on September 19, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: Lorca -> Villamajor de Monjardín (11.2 miles)

A long hot day with at least half of the walking being uphill! The free wine fountain at Irache actually had wine in it (it was empty when I arrived at it in 2013).

Not many beds left when arrived in Monjardín but the albergue offered us a private room with three beds in it, we were more than happy to share and the room was lovely, with a view out across the village and the surrounding countryside.

Muruzábal to Lorca

Posted on September 18, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: Muruzábal -> Lorca (13.7 miles)

The sun was just coming up as we headed out from the albergue and did the detour to Eunate. So glad we did, I missed this last time I walked this route. Took many, many photos of this ancient church. After Eunate headed into Obanos for the first coffee of the day – there were hundreds and hundreds of House Martins around the village which made for a spectacular sight.

At Puente la Reina P and J looked around the church and I had more coffee in the warm sunshine. Later when we arrived at Mañeru we were all very hot so sat in the shade by the fountain for a while and took our boots and socks off. Bliss!

Plodded our way to Cirauqui, a very “zen” time of the day – all the irritating noise of thoughts gone, just in the moment, no past or future, just the sound of my boots scrunching on the gravel path, birds, butterflies and the sound of an aeroplane passing far overhead. Added Short-toed and Booted Eagles to my list. At one point, like magic, I was surrounded by butterflies 🙂

Made a fundamental mistake of not picking up food to eat in Puente la Reina. Lorca only has a tiny shop but happily I managed to explain to the bar owner that i’m not able to eat bread and he knocked me up the most wonderful plate of fried ham and eggs, all washed down with a lovely glass of wine.

Pamplona to Muruzábal

Posted on September 17, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Walk: Pamplona -> Muruzábal (9.3 miles)

We left the comfort of our apartment by 8am and quickly found ourselves re-connected to the camino and a steady stream of pilgrims heading out of the city. The day was warm and calm and we took a welcome rest for coffee at Zariquiegui. After that we climbed up to Alto del Perdón and the wonderful wrought iron sculpture of medieval pilgrims, where we took the obligatory photographs 🙂 The view from up there was spectacular.

And so downwards, almost losing my footing a couple of times on the steep, stony downhill track. J had planned to stay at Uterga but after a coffee break decided that she felt good so we continued to Muruzábal. Very glad too. The private albergue here is fab and has only been open for five months and it was Carlos’s family home. Very comfortable and welcoming.

Pamplona – rest day 2

Posted on September 16, 2015January 4, 2017 by YvonneB

Another warm sunny day but very very windy. We headed into the city centre on the bus and had morning coffee at Cafe Iruña – none of the sun umbrellas were up as the wind was gusting. Explored the shops, bought a lovely dress and chatted, in Spanish with the lady in the dress shop, when we found out that we were from the UK she told us about her sister who had lived in London and had died suddenly earlier this year. Told her we would pray for her sister when we got to Santiago (I’m not particularly religious but J has just qualified as a Deacon).

After wandering the city for a while we went for tapas at Okapi which is located on the “encierro” which is where the bull run takes place at the San Fermin festival in July. I left P and J sitting inside with their tapas and sat outside to sketch. Although I have a “proper” sketchbook with me i’ve been using my diary – I think I suffer from “blank page syndrome” with the sketchbook!

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago pamplona encierro — A little urban sketching

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago pamplona — A fabulous sunset from the apartment this evening and a few bats flying around outside. Species unknown.

Hebridean Imaging

Photography and Art

Category: Spain