I love following the Thursday Doors Series. Still, I rarely contribute. The doors to which I have regular access seldom speak to me. That all changed during our recent trek on the Camino Trail. Actually, if Richard hadn’t given me his ‘ahem’ voice (quite a few times), we would still be lingering in Spain, with me trying to capture all of the awe-inspiring photographic moments that surrounded us. Here is a sampling of just a few of the doorways that caused us to stop and give pause.
Azofra, Rioja. The first day of our month-long hike. We immediately realized that ‘Camino doors’ were far from ordinary.Calzadila de los Hermanilos, Castile and Leon. The colours and textures were rich and captivating (some more subtle than others).Valverde de la Virgen, Castile and Leon. The selection of this photo is more about the name than the door. But you must admit, it fits!Acebo, Castile and Leon. Heavy and cumbersome ‘strip doors’. Not my favourite to pass through. But they do photograph well.Riego de Ambroa, Castile and Leon. If only these doors could talk!Trabadelo, Castile and Leon. Door for sale.Belorado, Catle and Leon. You could feel the texture of these doors from a distant glance.Ambasmestas, Castile and Leon. Sometimes it was not the door itself, but what was in front of it, that captured our attention.Pedrafita do Cebreiro, Galicia. Some things reveal themselves best in black and white.Palas de Rei, Galicia. No matter how small the town, intriguing doors were everywhere.Palas de Rei, Galicia. I don’t know about you, but I interpreted this as being meant as a doorway.Camino, Galicia, This was almost a full view of a Camino door. Honestly, I could not have planned this shot if I had tried!Samos, Galicia. Shed door showing ‘the way’.Triacastela, Galicia. It wasn’t only the doors that were funky and original.Triacastela, Galicia. Is the door half-open or half-closed?Negreia, Galicia. Okay, I admit. Perhaps this is an archway. Still, it is an entrance…which surely must count!Muxia, Galicia. So maybe this is not an official ‘door’ either. Though it is quite similar!Finisterre, Galicia. We were sad to leave the rich and textured beauty of Spain. Although we will not likely be back on the Camino again, it was a trip of a lifetime for which we are immensely grateful.
Thank you for traveling with me. Be sure to check out the thought-provoking (and beautifully photographed) door posts of other writers and photographers in this week’s series, #ThursdayDoors.
Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
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48 thoughts on “Spanish Doors of the Camino”
Love this Donna! Doors are something I have looked at well when we travel. You have captured some very interesting ones that are open to the stories they tell!
Now that is a fantastic selection of doors… and cow bums. 🙂 My favorite is the wooden one (the door) in Palas de Rei. What a work of art, strikingly beautiful.
I know what you mean about wanting to keep taking photos. And, I can guaranteee you that Richard is a much more patient bystander than Mark when that happens!
Thanks, Liesbet. I love those wooden doors from Palas de Rei too.
And have I mentioned that Richard has grown more and more fonder of you…even though he has not met you in person (yet)!
Shutters count as doors, and “there’s a door behind those cow butts” counts, too!. I love the crazy door at Palas de Rei, Galicia, and the black and white one next to it.
Hi, Dan – I hadn’t realized that there was a herd of cows that would be passing through when I stepped out of the albergue to photograph its doors! Thanks for commenting, and for hosting. I’m glad to have finally had some ‘inspiration’ so that I could participate in this series.
Wow. That’s a serious collection of doors, Donna. My favourite is the same as Liesbet’s, but it was a tough call. Lots of great doors/entrances/archways/shutters – yup, they all qualify.
I have to admit that I’d probably be more like Richard than you in this situation. ‘Ahem’ is pretty mild. What a good guy!
Thanks, Karen – I had collected even more door photos (as well as other snaps that caught my fancy) along the Camino. Richard is a great guy. But we also did not always walk at the same pace, nor side by side….which was a saving grace for my photographic urges!
Love, love these doors! I have the same problem with the uninspiring doors around my area so you finding these gems – and sharing them with us – makes me so happy. How could I pick a favorite? Not possible.
I understand the “ahem” moments, but I’ve also semi-trained my husband to point out doors I may have missed.
Fantastic collection! Some of those are so interesting, and not just because of that dog — what a great shot! 🙂 Palas de Rei — really interesting! Glad you joined us this week.
Hi, Joey – Thanks so much for stopping by. The Spanish dogs were quite interesting as well! They could often be found with their large paws (and legs) hanging out of windows, off of walls, and over fences….silently checking out the daily passers-by. I was excited to finally be able to participate in THursdays Doors again. I have vowed to be more creative in my ‘door viewing’ since I have returned home.
I understand about finding doors that speak to you in other places, although there are some very fancy doors near where we live. I like the first one on the left and the one from Palas de Rei, Galicia, although I enjoyed seeing all of them. Glad you dropped in today and I hope we’ll see you around again. And I understand the “ahem” voice. My s-I-l in France is quite good about me always stopping to take photos and lagging behind, but sometimes I say “ahem” to myself!
Hi, Janet – Finding the right balance of indulging myself in taking photos…and saying ‘ahem’ to myself…was often a difficult juggling act. As a result, there were many spectactular doors along the Camino trail that simply ‘got away’. The first one on the left is my absolute favourite as well. It looked to be more like a painting than a door. Since it was the first door photograph that I took on this trip, Richard hadn’t begun to rush me yet. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.
Thanks, Terri. I was delighted to finally have the chance to play! I have now vowed to take a more creative look at the ‘utilitarian’ doors all around me.
Donna
I love these doors, Donna. So much character. I had a similar experience in France. I took so many door pictures, I could have published a book! Thanks for sharing your experiences in Spain with us.
This is a fabulous collection Donna. We took a series of photos once of windows while we were in Italy. I love looking at all the Thursday Door shots too but rarely manage to contribute. It’s a great way of keeping the memories alive.
Hi, Debbie – Good thing that there was not also a blog #WindowSeries that I was following. If there had been, I’d still be in Spain trying to capture pics! I agree that photos, and blog posts, are a wonderful way to keep memories alive.
Hi, Louise – Palas de Rei was a very cool spot! It has a fascinating heritage as it was one of the preferred places of residence for Galician nobility. There was so much to capture…and still, so much that I missed!
Hi, Jo-Anne – How I miss the sound of that laugh! Richard and I were just discussing that we would like to plan a ‘road trip adventure’ to drive out and visit you and Bill. Miss you!!
Glad to hear you caught the door-bug and found inspiration even while in the process of the trek of a lifetime!
I wish I could sympathize with your husband, but when you’re carrying a camera, it begs to be used 😉
… and cow butts? The unexpected makes for a great photo 🙂
Hi, Joanne – Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I have been very inspired (as well as jealous…and a bit homesick) from your #ThursdayDoors posts. I have longed to be surrounded by some inspirational doors so that I could play too. I didn’t actually have a camera with me, just my iPhone. But it was a new iPhone, with new cool camera features, so I am happy to go with your excuse. Yes, the cow butts were hilarious. I had already raised the camera to photograph the Albergue and its doors….and there they suddenly were!
I love your photos. I belong to a group that collects just church doors and especially red church doors (long story, lol). Just let your husband take some pictures of you in front of the doors sometime? (said by a woman whose husband was always behind the camera and never in front).
Gonna be completely obvnoxious here and ask if you would mind changing your side linke that says frugaltexasgal to richlyretired.blogspot.com? It seems the google gods wiped out my custom url during the renewel process (dont ask, my answer contains swear words)
Hi, Barb – Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. In all of the gazillions of doors that I photographed on this trip, and all the churches that we visited, I don’t think that I even noticed one red church door. That’s a very interesting goal! I just changed your url on my side link. I am so sorry to hear that your site renewal process can only be described with swear words! 🙂 Hope that all is working fine for you now!
Fabulous collection of eccentric doors! Impossible to choose a favourite, though probably the more decrepit the better (from an aesthetic point of view, of course. Not if it were on my house……)
Thanks, Anabel – Great minds think alike! My husband couldn’t understand my desire to photograph so many “falling apart barn doors”. Especially when there were “so many elaborate doors on churches, etc.”. Glad to know someone else who thinks the same way!
What a great collection of doors Donna! I must admit to being a door fan – some are so welcoming aren’t they? I didn’t know there was even anything called a Thursdays Door Series – I must check it out. Hope you are settling in after your adventure holiday and planning your next adventure.
Hi, Sue – I love continuing to discover so many things that we have in common! If you have some door photographs to share, you can link them at https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/category/thursday-doors. The link up takes place each Thursday and draws a great group of bloggers and photographers. When do you leave for your holidays?
Hi, Maxwell – Thank you so much for the inclusion of Retirement Reflections in your article. I know several of the others bloggers that you wrote about. I am honoured to be mentioned, and to be in such good company! I have shared your article on my social media. Thanks again!
The cool thing about taking door photos is that doing it causes a person to stop and really look. This is a great collection that reflects the character of the places you passed through.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Manja – I’m not quite ready for a door post for this week. But I do have a few ideas so hope to post in Thursday Doors again soon!
A beautiful collection of doors. The Camino has always intrigued me. When I saw this post listed on your menu, I skipped over everything else and came here. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos
Hi, Laura – Thank you so much for stopping by. The Camino is an incredible experience. If it’s on your Bucket List and you get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!
Retirement Reflections 
Love this Donna! Doors are something I have looked at well when we travel. You have captured some very interesting ones that are open to the stories they tell!
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Hi, Fran – THanks so much for stopping by. You should definitely share some of the door photos from your travels. I would love to see them!
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Now that is a fantastic selection of doors… and cow bums. 🙂 My favorite is the wooden one (the door) in Palas de Rei. What a work of art, strikingly beautiful.
I know what you mean about wanting to keep taking photos. And, I can guaranteee you that Richard is a much more patient bystander than Mark when that happens!
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Thanks, Liesbet. I love those wooden doors from Palas de Rei too.
And have I mentioned that Richard has grown more and more fonder of you…even though he has not met you in person (yet)!
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You have… 🙂 I can’t wait to meet him (and you, of course). Although, he might swiftly change his mind when that happens.
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If he changes his mind…it will only be for an even fonder point of view! 🙂
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🙂
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Shutters count as doors, and “there’s a door behind those cow butts” counts, too!. I love the crazy door at Palas de Rei, Galicia, and the black and white one next to it.
Thanks for joining us today!
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Hi, Dan – I hadn’t realized that there was a herd of cows that would be passing through when I stepped out of the albergue to photograph its doors! Thanks for commenting, and for hosting. I’m glad to have finally had some ‘inspiration’ so that I could participate in this series.
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Fantastic photos, Donna! I’m loving those red shutters.
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Thanks, Jill. I love those red shutters too. I knew that they weren’t quite doors….but I thought that I would sneak them in anyway!
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Wow. That’s a serious collection of doors, Donna. My favourite is the same as Liesbet’s, but it was a tough call. Lots of great doors/entrances/archways/shutters – yup, they all qualify.
I have to admit that I’d probably be more like Richard than you in this situation. ‘Ahem’ is pretty mild. What a good guy!
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Thanks, Karen – I had collected even more door photos (as well as other snaps that caught my fancy) along the Camino. Richard is a great guy. But we also did not always walk at the same pace, nor side by side….which was a saving grace for my photographic urges!
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Pretty cool. Love the cattle butts.
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Truly – there was not a cow in sight when I originally began to take that photo!
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Love, love these doors! I have the same problem with the uninspiring doors around my area so you finding these gems – and sharing them with us – makes me so happy. How could I pick a favorite? Not possible.
I understand the “ahem” moments, but I’ve also semi-trained my husband to point out doors I may have missed.
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Wow! Now that is true skill, Janis. You’ll need to teach me that trick when we catch up (soon). Can’t wait!!
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Fantastic collection! Some of those are so interesting, and not just because of that dog — what a great shot! 🙂 Palas de Rei — really interesting! Glad you joined us this week.
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Hi, Joey – Thanks so much for stopping by. The Spanish dogs were quite interesting as well! They could often be found with their large paws (and legs) hanging out of windows, off of walls, and over fences….silently checking out the daily passers-by. I was excited to finally be able to participate in THursdays Doors again. I have vowed to be more creative in my ‘door viewing’ since I have returned home.
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I understand about finding doors that speak to you in other places, although there are some very fancy doors near where we live. I like the first one on the left and the one from Palas de Rei, Galicia, although I enjoyed seeing all of them. Glad you dropped in today and I hope we’ll see you around again. And I understand the “ahem” voice. My s-I-l in France is quite good about me always stopping to take photos and lagging behind, but sometimes I say “ahem” to myself!
janet
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Hi, Janet – Finding the right balance of indulging myself in taking photos…and saying ‘ahem’ to myself…was often a difficult juggling act. As a result, there were many spectactular doors along the Camino trail that simply ‘got away’. The first one on the left is my absolute favourite as well. It looked to be more like a painting than a door. Since it was the first door photograph that I took on this trip, Richard hadn’t begun to rush me yet. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.
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A beautiful collection of doors, Donna! Thanks for reminding me to post something for this next week!
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Thanks, Terri. I was delighted to finally have the chance to play! I have now vowed to take a more creative look at the ‘utilitarian’ doors all around me.
Donna
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I love these doors, Donna. So much character. I had a similar experience in France. I took so many door pictures, I could have published a book! Thanks for sharing your experiences in Spain with us.
~Christie
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Thanks, Christie. Did you put together a post of your French doors? If so, did you link it to Thursday Doors? I would love to see it!
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This is a fabulous collection Donna. We took a series of photos once of windows while we were in Italy. I love looking at all the Thursday Door shots too but rarely manage to contribute. It’s a great way of keeping the memories alive.
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Hi, Debbie – Good thing that there was not also a blog #WindowSeries that I was following. If there had been, I’d still be in Spain trying to capture pics! I agree that photos, and blog posts, are a wonderful way to keep memories alive.
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HI Donna, I love looking at the door posts too. You have taken some lovely shots here. Palas de Rei, Galicia door is beautiful. Louise
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Hi, Louise – Palas de Rei was a very cool spot! It has a fascinating heritage as it was one of the preferred places of residence for Galician nobility. There was so much to capture…and still, so much that I missed!
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I enjoyed looking at the doors. I could actually hear you saying your comments. I laughed out loud several times. Really enjoyed!
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Hi, Jo-Anne – How I miss the sound of that laugh! Richard and I were just discussing that we would like to plan a ‘road trip adventure’ to drive out and visit you and Bill. Miss you!!
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Glad to hear you caught the door-bug and found inspiration even while in the process of the trek of a lifetime!
I wish I could sympathize with your husband, but when you’re carrying a camera, it begs to be used 😉
… and cow butts? The unexpected makes for a great photo 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Joanne – Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I have been very inspired (as well as jealous…and a bit homesick) from your #ThursdayDoors posts. I have longed to be surrounded by some inspirational doors so that I could play too. I didn’t actually have a camera with me, just my iPhone. But it was a new iPhone, with new cool camera features, so I am happy to go with your excuse. Yes, the cow butts were hilarious. I had already raised the camera to photograph the Albergue and its doors….and there they suddenly were!
LikeLike
I love your photos. I belong to a group that collects just church doors and especially red church doors (long story, lol). Just let your husband take some pictures of you in front of the doors sometime? (said by a woman whose husband was always behind the camera and never in front).
Gonna be completely obvnoxious here and ask if you would mind changing your side linke that says frugaltexasgal to richlyretired.blogspot.com? It seems the google gods wiped out my custom url during the renewel process (dont ask, my answer contains swear words)
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Hi, Barb – Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. In all of the gazillions of doors that I photographed on this trip, and all the churches that we visited, I don’t think that I even noticed one red church door. That’s a very interesting goal! I just changed your url on my side link. I am so sorry to hear that your site renewal process can only be described with swear words! 🙂 Hope that all is working fine for you now!
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Fabulous collection of eccentric doors! Impossible to choose a favourite, though probably the more decrepit the better (from an aesthetic point of view, of course. Not if it were on my house……)
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Thanks, Anabel – Great minds think alike! My husband couldn’t understand my desire to photograph so many “falling apart barn doors”. Especially when there were “so many elaborate doors on churches, etc.”. Glad to know someone else who thinks the same way!
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What a great collection of doors Donna! I must admit to being a door fan – some are so welcoming aren’t they? I didn’t know there was even anything called a Thursdays Door Series – I must check it out. Hope you are settling in after your adventure holiday and planning your next adventure.
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Hi, Sue – I love continuing to discover so many things that we have in common! If you have some door photographs to share, you can link them at https://miscellaneousmusingsofamiddleagedmind.wordpress.com/category/thursday-doors. The link up takes place each Thursday and draws a great group of bloggers and photographers. When do you leave for your holidays?
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Hi Donna!
Just a quick note to let you know that I featured you in a recent article named:
Top 30 International Retirement Blogs in 2017
Here’s a link to the article:
http://www.welovecostarica.com/top-30-international-retirement-blogs-2017/
Regards,
Maxwell Salo
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Hi, Maxwell – Thank you so much for the inclusion of Retirement Reflections in your article. I know several of the others bloggers that you wrote about. I am honoured to be mentioned, and to be in such good company! I have shared your article on my social media. Thanks again!
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Beautiful…..
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THanks, Georgia! I greatly appreciate your continued support!
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The cool thing about taking door photos is that doing it causes a person to stop and really look. This is a great collection that reflects the character of the places you passed through.
Jude
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Most excellent doors. ❤ Still some time to post some doors this week… 🙂 I'm hosting, Norm will be back next week.
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Manja – I’m not quite ready for a door post for this week. But I do have a few ideas so hope to post in Thursday Doors again soon!
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A beautiful collection of doors. The Camino has always intrigued me. When I saw this post listed on your menu, I skipped over everything else and came here. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos
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Hi, Laura – Thank you so much for stopping by. The Camino is an incredible experience. If it’s on your Bucket List and you get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!
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