Wednesay, October 28, 2025 Wine Tour

This wine is not from the winery I visited but wanted a picture of wine for this posting.

To see photos for this winery tour, please go to posting labeled Winery Photos.  Because the photos are on my phone I will post those first and then write about the tour here. 

I toured https://www.francoespanolas.com
Short story is with the insect plague destroying vineyards in France, French wine makers came to Spain.  Three Frenchmen and six Spainards created this bodegas.  Eventually, the Spainards bought out the Frenchmen but the name remains.  Wines are broken down by: 85% reds, 10% white, and 5% rose.  They are behind the Talla de Diamante and Bordon wines.  

Their huge old wine barrels, 40 in total, are impressive but no longer in use.  The smaller barrels are used for 6 years and then sold for other uses.  It takes 4 months to clean the barrels with high pressure steam.

The underground wine cellars were spotless and endless.  We sampled one of each by going through the steps of swirling, sniffing, holding the glass of red over a white napkin to note shades of red, and watching residue drip down to indicate alcoholic content.  I enjoyed both of them.  A wonderful tour.

Winery Photos

Haro Photos More

 

Haro Photos

 

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Haro Trip Report

Looks like I will have to post photos via my phone.

If I lived here in the Logrono area, I would take advantage of all their transportation modes to see more of the small towns.  There is a train and bus station, local buses running every which way, and walking/biking paths.  I base this reasoning on a lovely day in Haro I had today.  The bus left at 9:15am on a bluer than blue day.  All was going GREAT until the last passenger boarded.  I was sitting in the front seat to the right to get the best views.  He saw me writing in my notebook and looked truly stunned at what he was observing.  This fellow in a gray knit cap was in the mood to chat, I was not.  I suspected he had his first beer of the day already.  He shared with me he is African.  We exchanged names on his request.  The bus was twisting and turning to leave the bus station and the last thing I wanted to do was a conversation in halted English.  He asked right away if I was married and if I had a son.  This guy in a gray wool cap then announced he wanted me to marry him.  Please, just be quiet I thought.  I ignored him.  He then became pacified with his phone and then fell asleep on the left side of the bus across the isle from my row.  Secretly, I was hoping he was not getting off at my stop in Haro because I didn't want him trailing after me picking up on his one-sided conversation.

Yes, he did get off at Haro and I went in the opposite direction.  Haro is old, quaint, enchanting, and having numerous bodegas in the country side is a bonus.  I took photos with my phone rather than this tablet so I am still trying to figure out how to post them.  I might have to do it via my phone which is a pain.

For you wine lovers, 3 reasons to come to Logrono/Haro area:
1) Briones has a huge and impressive looking Vivanco (wine museum) https://vivancoculturadevino.es/en/foundation/vivanco-museum-of-wine-culture/
2) Haro has the Station Quarter I walked through yesterday.  It has the centenary wineries of the La Rioja area.  This area is outside the town in the country side.  The road with several bodegas was busy with huge tanker trucks transporting wine I suspect.
3) Plenty of bars/cafes/restaurants to try the wines with local food.

I also ejoyed stepping into the Basilica of Our Lady of the Vega built with ashlar stone (a term used to describe cut and dressed stone worked to achieve a specific form, typically rectangular; a structure built from such stones), inlaid wood floors, and all the glories one finds inside a church.

The 3 hours went quickly before I got a return bus to be back in time for my afternoon duties.  Another highlight was watching the rolling country side glide by in all shades of reds, greens, and yellows.  To me, this was similar to fall colors but here for the grape leaves changing color.

The day ended with serving 12 pilgrims the dinner meal (pasta with Chorizo).  I am amazed they do a super job cleaning up the kitchen after a much appreciated homecooked meal.  They rave about the salads each night.  One even helped clean the burners.  We do supervise to make sure things go in the right places.

 

Monday, October 27, 2025 Walkabout

I do enjoy trying a new place for breakfast.  This one is called Cafe Bohemia not far from the bus station.  A half of a tuna sandwich and a coffee  is about 4 euros.

The weather continues to be exceptional with crisp and clear days.  The type that make me want to be outside.  Monday was a walk about with the mission to find the fastest and easiest route to the bus station as a practice run for my Tuesday bus to Haro departing at 9:15am.  I am very excited about this mini excursion for a few hours to sightsee. With mission accomplished, I walked around taking photos.  This tablet is not the best for photos but I will share anyways.  Better photos are on my phone, however, Samsung and Apple don't synch well, or at least not for me.  Enjoy.

Bus station. Bought my ticket for Tuesday.  Found the platform the ticket seller told me it would be at.  Easy place to manuever and no more than a 15 minute walk from where I am staying.

Cafe Bohemia is a popular place with the locals.  It is nicely situated by all these apartment buildings.

Lots of tree lined streets in Logrono.

Every day chairs and umbrellas are dragged about to get ready for the 10am crowds of smokers.  Must be their coffee break time.  I do not sit outside due to the smokers.

Found this place Panadería El Otro Costal when I saw a line out the door.  I figured it must be worth standing in line for.  From what I could gather from the sign, it makes traditional, artesanal bread and pasteries.  I could not decide on the bread so I opted for chocolate balls and an eggy custard thing covered with something similar to blueberry pie filling.  It was good.  I hope to go back one more time.  Thanks people waiting in line.

 

Sunday, October 26, 2025 Rule #9

Saw this by the bus station.  This park is above the bus and train station.

Rule #9: We do not accept or send backpacks. All backpacks sent to our hostel normally arrive at the municipal hostel down the street.

We had to read this rule several times on two ocassions so far.  The first time was for a lady who was dumbfounded when we relayed this to her.  I could tell she was not happy it was not here because that meant she had to put her shoes back on and walk to find it.  We recommended she call the company she used to ferry her bag.  She did not have their number or what the company was called and did not have a receipt. She told me later over dinner the municipal hostel did not have it either and they sent her to another location meaning more walking.  Eventually, she found it and was in a better mood.

Yesterday, a couple arrived looking for their bag.  Sorry, Rule #9 says we don't have it.  They also did not have information on who sent the bag for them.  Again, I could tell they were cross with us for not having it.  I suggested they call the municipal hostel before walking there.  They were also reunited with their bag but they decided to stay there rather than walk back to us.  We did not take it personally.

Last night's group for dinner was the best yet.  Being a small group and 9 out of 10 speaking some level of English, we all shared stories.  The 10th person had her son to translate for her so she joined in as well.  A common theme came up: either they quit their job (sushi chef, ex-DJ, teacher, doctor (she recently retired), researcher, programmer) to walk or were in between careers.  Countries represented: Japan, Spain, Taiwan, England, Netherlands, Belgium, China, and USA.  Great night.  This is the kind of group I would hope to be associated with when I walk again.

Tonight we have 3 pilgrims signed up for dinner.  Numbers are dwindling as the days get colder and darker.

Buen Camino Pilgrims.  Thanks for a pleasant evening.

Saturday, October 25, 2025

This arrived for us to make coffee for the pilgrims.  The other kind with a separate bottom you screw on to the top part where the coffee is housed was time consuming and dangerous because it was missing a handle.  This one has a handle but it gets very hot like the top lid does.  No potholders here just dishtowels. This also can take time to boil and percolate.  I tried it twice and it makes a mess.  Sorry pilgrims, you will have to do with the instant coffee and the tea assortment.

What have I been thinking of lately?
- There is a time change tonight, I better remind the pilgrims.
- I better buy my bus ticket for Nov 1 to go to Getxo, Spain. I plan to buy it at the bus station tomorrow.  I tried online but it was becoming a pain.  I do want to use up my Euros I have instead of using a credit card.
- Where is the best place for me to stay for my early flight out on Nov 4th: Bilbao or by the airport in Bilbao?  I went with a hotel 1km from the airport.  They offer a free shuttle at any time.  My flight leaves at 7:25am for Paris.  Used Booking.com and that went through easily.
- Should I try to take a bus to Haro, Spain for a few hours on Tuesday?  Haro is known for wine and bull fighting.  Looks like a compact placed filled with old buildings, bodegas, and cafes.  The other volunteers said I should go.  I will try to buy a bus ticket for that tomorrow as well as the one to Bilbao.
- It would be fun to spend time in Spain while taking Spanish lessons.  A good plan when retirement happens.
- I thought this was clever.  It is located at the Science Museum which use to be their main slaughterhouse.

The words on the ground are reflected in the shiny structure. It is a quote by Einstein.

First rainy afternoon.  Rather damp inside the parish house where the dorm rooms are and where us volunteers sleep.  Perfect for drinking herbal tea or a red wine.  Before gets much cooler, we need to ask how to turn on the heat.

Went with the wine.  It is from a local winery not far from the city center.  I am enjoying it very much.  Waiting for the final head count for tonight's dinner. So far a total of 10.  Cheers.

 

 

Time to check stats after 9 evenings.  We have served 148 pilgrims coming from 24 different countries.  The top five countries sending the most pilgrims are: France (32), Italy (22), USA (14), Spain (13), tied for 5th are Australia (8), and Germany (8).  Countries represented by 1 pilgrim each are: Japan, Poland, Denmark, Mexico, Solvenia, Iraq, and Austria.

The pilgrims wishing to join in on the communal dinner, have enjoyed pasta or lentils. Each meal is prepared in a big pot and served family style.  Salad, bread, and the main dish is passed around in groups of six.  When vegetarians are not present, we add chirizo to the pot.  Dessert can vary from tiny containers of yogurt, or tangerines, or canned fruit cup.  Feedback has been A+ with providing a mixed green salad.  They also enjoying spending time with each other.  This is also a time we volunteers can interact with the pilgrims.

Dinner is in 20 minutes.  Time for me to review the blessing we say before the meal.  It is the Latin phrase, "ultreia, ultreia, et-suseia, desus, adjuva nos."  Singing it is preferred but that is where I put my foot down as a volunteer - no singing by me.  We do play a YouTube clip to get them inspired.

Thursday, October 23,

 

Hard to remember what day it is at times.  Today is my turn to do the laundry on Floor 2.  My "free" time will start after the next load and then I have about 6 hours to come and go as I please.  I might walk towards Mount Cantabria depending upon the wind conditions.  The winds were howling all last night and into the morning.  I hope the Irish girl biking the Camino doesn't get blown over.  The lady at the Tourist Info place said it might be about 50 minutes from old town to walk to the large hill of Mount Cantabria.  Time for a pastry first.

The walk, following the Camino de Santiago, was very pleasant passing through a park and then a slight climb into vineyards leaving shade behind.  I came for the views and here are some pictures of the walk below. 

We had 9 pilgrims last night.  So far 24 countries have been represented.  Besides the typical countries like Spain, France, Italy, German, USA, S Korea, there have been a few uncommon ones like Australia, Hungary, Taiwan, China, Poland, Mexico, and Iraq.  It doesn't  matter where they are from, they all want to pitch in after dinner cleaning the kitchen.  Even though I have been having either pasta or lentils for dinner for the last week, I am still enjoying the food.

As you can see, I am not really going up a mountain.  Looks more like a mesa.

A few grapes remain on the vines.  I have been reading about the wines in this area (La Rioja) and the grape tempranillo is indigenous to this area.  I hope I get to sample wine from this grape during my winery tour next week at Bodegas Franco Espanolas (1890).

The weather was perfect for this fall walk.  Vineyards lined this road.

The soil is very rocky.  I remember part of the Camino being rocky like this.

I continuted past these olive trees until the paved road became dirt with lots of rocks.

To complete the circular loop, I walked over the famous stone bridge entering Logrono.  The 2 hour walk was a perfect way for me to enjoy nature.