isobelmtl

Writing under a Montreal sky

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about

Isobel Cunningham has published short fiction and poetry. Her book, Northern Compass is available on Amazon. She was born in Wales but Montreal is her adopted home. She speaks French, Modern Greek ( it’s a fun story) and a little Spanish…oh, English too, of course. She welcomes comments on her blog and looks forward to chatting with you over cyber-space.

Author: isobel cunningham

  • Alto de Perdon

    I was a bit scared of this part, climbing up out of Pamplona to the high ridge out of town. Here sit the wind mills that supply green energy. I took a rest day in Pamplona because my right knee was acting up. In fear of not managing this part I bought some “hemp? Pot?…

  • Rest day in Pamplona

    It was fun to just hang out in a beautiful town. I got my Spanish SIM card sorted for my phone, bought a new poncho since I tore my old one struggling through the bushes and went to the cathedral. I was resting my knee too. I checked in to the same hostel- the converted…

  • Zubiri to Pamplona

    It was better, much better than the day before. Not having anything to eat or drink until 11 am did not help but, boy did that spinach tortilla taste good when I finally got it. I was lucky to get a bed at one of the biggest albergues in Plampona and have decided to stay…

  • The day before the ascent

  • Today was the hardest

    Today it poured rain and I walked 22km over hill and dale and over a slippery bed of rocks. Horror! But I had 2 Irish angels who helped me by going fast and making jokes. We are in Zubiri now and off to Pamplona tomorrow. The lady who keeps the hotel put on her mask…

  • Granny went over the mountain

    Ah, the Camino Frances doesn’t let you in that easily. To set off in pouring rain is challenging. Oh well, only 8 km you think but that’s a lot of rain! The pass over the Mountains from France to Spain is split into two days for some modern pilgrims. Others do the whole 27 km…

  • Up the mountain we go

    Got poles and snacks for the assault on the mountain today. Rain is forecast but the day after should be very good. Walking with others so we encourage each other. Met a nice Yorkshireman walking for a sick child. Conversation at the dinner table was eclectic..,French,English,Spanish, Yorkshire and bewildered sign language for 2 unilingual Chinese…

  • A town of hopes and dreams

    The town is very hilly and the streets too narrow for cars to pass. My first visit today will be to the church and to the pilgrim’s office where I will get maps, advice and the first stamp in my long fold-out passport. I hope to fill it and that the last stamp will be…

  • A town of hopes and dreams

         St Jean Pied de Port has seen so many souls set off on the old old pilgrimage route known as the Camino. I arrived by train, passing through tiny mountain villages with the train track hugging a narrow rushing river. The train was full of backpacks and speculation about the weather. Next to me…

  • First Day

    My flight was uneventful although the scene in Montreal was pretty chaotic. Many people seemed to be leaving town with all their worldly possessions . I should have thought more carefully about those zip off shirts/ pants though. As if my artificial hip wasn’t enough for the scanner to catch. My entry into France was…