Day 39 Castromaior to Pala del Rei

16.7 km traveled (about 10 miles) elevation gain negligible easy up and down hills.

I slept well last night in my cold room. It warmed up, probably because of my body heat, and I had on a long sleeved shirt and leggings.

I coughed a lot during the night, but during the day today, I am feeling better.
As I said in yesterday's blog, I'm giving this cold up to God to take care of.
As I walked today, it was warm and sunny. Mid 60s, good for breathing.
I wore my shorts, (hiking pants zipped off) and it felt nice.
I have continued to ship my pack, it's only 3 euros, and I'm carrying a day pack with my essentials. Much easier, and worth it. Only problem is is that it decreases spontaneity. But the camino is so full now, having reservations each night is important. So I usually call each afternoon for the next day. That way, I don't have to worry about a bed. All is good.

They will hold your bed until 3 or 4, and I'm always usually where I'm gonna be by 2.


Here are picture of today's walk.
The pretty grasslands and woods,


As I walked through the little city of Ligonde, I came across a great little albuergue that is run by a religious order. They had Christian music playing and had refreshments out for anyone passing by. Donations accepted. I wish I had known about this place, as I would have stayed here. Lovely caring place.
Here is the outside,


And the inside....


Saw lots of cows today, as I went to take their pic, of course they turned away.


Only 72 km or so to go...





Me on the path..


So as it goes, it goes well.
I continue to follow the yellow arrows and shells that point me to Santiago. Sometimes, I don't always spot them right away, and I have to look a bit for them. But there is usually some sign pointing me where to go. Kind of like life. It too is a path. Sometimes I feel lost, and don't know where to turn for all of the answers. This is why I believe and have faith in my God, to lead me in the right direction. He always does, you just have to let go and let him point you the way to go. So easy, but we as humans have such a hard time letting go of the control we always try to maintain. We need to just let go, and trust in The Lord..

Now about my cold, I'm feeling better, and have faith that I will be even better tomorrow. Thank you God.

I've gotton another private room tonight. 20 euros, and it has a bath tub!! Yippee!!!
Hot bath coming up, and then going to the market, have a tapa, and some wine, and post when I get to some Internet.

Ultraia. Which means onward.

Day 38 Ferrerios to Castromaior. June 11

No Internet in Castromaior, so will post when able tomorrow.

Km walked 18.2 (10.9 miles) elevation walked about 200 meters (600 feet).
Today was a great walking day. Cloudy and cool in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. The elevations were not hard today, and I walked part of the day with some people I had met initially, and had not seen since around the 7th of May. So strange, how you meet people, and not see them, and then they turn up.

Today, I felt like I was rushing to get to the next destination. I don't know why this is, except I think I'm getting tired, and just am wanting to get the week done. I am doing fine, just getting to the end is getting me excited, and I just want to be done. I usually start between 7 and. 8, and since I stayed in an albuergue last night, lots of people were rustling around at 6. This is why I am liking the private rooms better. I can go to bed early, and get up early and also spread out all of my stuff.
I just need to slow down this last week and enjoy the walk.


I came across this tree early this am, full of hats.why? Don't know.




The little town of Portomarin.
The camino doesn't go through this town, just kind of past it.


These stairs are a tourist attraction here, so had to go up them.



Then I continued the walk through lots of fields and up lots of small hills to this little town. I chose the little town of Castromaior specifically because it is really little.
I had misgivings because the room is cold, but the bed is nice, and the shower is good. I have a cough, and I thought that if I had a nice quiet room, that it would be good for me to rest. But it's cold... Asked the owner Maria for extra blankets. She was great to me, so friendly even though we don't speak the same language, mantra means blankets.
These are pics of this quaint little town...








I then walked up to the bar to get dinner. Here sits Maria, the casa where I am staying owner, and her cousin Floria, the bar owner, and Maria's cousin Sarah. I showed them some of the pics of the camino. They have never been to most of these places, and were excited to see them. We started talking about hombres. None of them are married. We also talked about how beautiful the churches are in Spain and how beautiful it is here in spring.

Interesting cross cultural talk about men, it was pretty funny. So I am happy I have stopped here, I'll lock myself up in my room tonight, and make the most of this small town. I have plotted out the rest of my walk, and will arrive in Santiago on Monday. Excited, and that's less than a week.

I am sitting in this little bar, relaxing and watching Spanish tv.
I have offered my cough up to God and told him that I am doing this walk in celebration of him. I asked him to make me feel better. Why I didn't think to bring any antibiotics with me is beyond me. I am depending on him to heal me.
Crazy thinking, or I guess not thinking.
There have been many, many healings along the way, and I have faith that I will be feeling better by tomorrow. The camino is also located below the Milky Way, so there are, I understand special healing powers from that...
Either way, I feel I am covered. Plus there is also the special healing power of wine.

Buen camino!