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!

Day 37 Pinton to Ferrerios June 10th.

19.8 km (12.4 miles) traveled. Elevation climbed today about 300 meters (900 feet)


It was a good day for walking today. Temperatures in the 60s and cloudy.
I am getting there. Today I went through Sarria, which is significant for pilgrims only doing the shorter pilgrimage. Sarria is where they start. So the way will become more and more crowded.




Interesting trees today...





Pretty flowers.


The 100 km marker.. Means only 60 more miles


And this is my very new, modern albuergue.


I've planned my destination for tomorrow, and am going to head to bed early. I've picked up a little cold and cough, I think it's like a kennel cough. Got some cold meds to take before bed, so hopefully will sleep well. I've been also trying to drink lots of extra water. My muscles were aching yesterday, and when I talked to andrea and Lucas yesterday, they thought maybe lactic acid buildup. Makes sense.
Not much else to report today... Just plugging away this last week,,, step by step.

Day 36 Fonfria to Pintin June 9th

Today I walked 23 km about 12.6 miles. Elevation descent of 600 meters (1200 feet) and than an ascent of 300 meters, (900 feet) since it was raining this morning, I wore my boots, hard on the toes so bad left foot toe, which was doing better, is irritated again.

This morning I feel like I walked out of the albuergue into a misty, wet cloud, I usually start walking about 7:15...
Visibility was probably about 10 feet, and since I left alone, I was worried about missing the yellow arrows. I did ok. No wrong turns. All good. I always carry food with me, at least a banana, so I ate that about 2 hours after I started walking, cause there were no little towns with cafes open. I like to always stop first thing for tea and a pastry.

So, I walked, and walked, in the foggy rain. Mostly going down this morning.









Saw some cows, although with the fog, it was like the twilight zone. The trail was quiet, not as many people walking as usual.



Then I got to the bottom of the mountain, and low and behold, there was another hill... Yikes Is what I thought. Saw some roosters...


And then things got a bit better,,, clearer, so about noon, I had my sandwich I had packed, with water and some chocolate I've still been carrying from Astorga and the chocolate museum from last Sunday.

The trail cleared up although things were pretty muddy from the rain and all of the mist.


I arrived to my pension about 3.. With all of that climbing up and down it was a long but fulfilling day. Tomorrow, I get to Sarria. Sarria is the town you start from, must start from to get a compostella. It is 100 km from Santiago.


For each place I have been, I have gotten a stamp proving I am there. From Sarria onward, I must get 2 stamps per day. It is the proof you need to get a compostella.
S
So after tomorrow, I have less than 100 km to go, less than 60 miles,,, so I am excited to accomplish this adventure, and for me a spiritual undertaking and sacrifice. Although of course I will want the compostella, for me, this journey has been one of spiritual and inner growth for myself. It has changed who I am, and how I think of myself. I now know that I can manage in a foreign country, on my own, speak and make my needs and feelings know to strangers, and I can be absolutely ok.

Complaints for the day.... My feet are doing better, but not well yet. It will take some time for them to heal when I get back.
My left shoulder is hurting. I am sending my pack forward for a while til it improves. I am also wondering if it is from holding my walking sticks and maybe they are too high. I shortened them today, thinking my left shoulder blade and scapula will not be elevated all day and maybe hurt less. I am also not sleeping well. Don't know why, but think it is muscular related. I've decided wine and ibuprofen is the best answer. Lots of wine....you would think I'd be exhausted each day.

I will be back in my tennis shoes tomorrow, the weather is in the 60s. No rain predicted for tomorrow...Although they saying goes here, the rain in Spain is mainly in Galacia, which is where I am now.

That's all for today, tomorrow starts my last walking week of the camino, I plan on arriving in Santiago either Sunday or Monday.. Flying home on Thursday the 20th , and looking so forward to being home to John and my own bed. Ahh.

Day 35 LaFaba to Fonfria June 8th

22 km (12 miles) 400 meter (1200 feet) climb over 3 miles. Very steep and rocky.
146 km to go, about 87.6 miles!!!!

Last nights monastery was nice, warm enough, and comfortable, if you like sleeping in a room of 40 people. I didn't sleep great, so I'm back in a private room for tonight.. For this last week, if I can, this is what I will probably do.


Today, I finished climbing to O Cebreiro, the town on top of the mountain, altitude 1330 meters. I did pretty well, although my sea level lungs still had a pretty good workout. My legs are strong, and they always have been, but stronger now. It's my breath that I usually have to stop for, as well as my pounding heart rate. I'm doing much better than a month ago, and I'm happy for that.
Today's weather was foggy, and misting or raining all day.
It was also cold for this Florida girl. I was dressed appropriately though, and didn't suffer any consequences. I can see how easily people could get hypothermia on a day like today. I truly understand how important it is to not wear cotton. Cotton absorbs and holds in moisture and cold.
While in O Cebreiro, I bought a pair of earrings. My treat for myself for my hard work.

Today, of all days, while walking with a woman from Australia, we missed a turn and had to retrack. Probably about 4 unnecessary km. 2.4 miles, a real sad thing on a day like today.

It's the first real missing of a sign I've made on the whole camino. Oh well....

Here are the pics from this morning, before the rain really started.
The cloud in the mountain I climbed to.



Me and the mountain, looking happy...








Entering Galacia, a state in Spain, the last I will pass through.


Entering the town at the top of the mountain.


The Spanish guy Pasqual with the peanut earring again....we practiced Spanish/English phrases as we walked for a while today.



A statue at the top of another big hill we climbed today.


I am tired but happy today. The biggest mountains are done, and there are still hills to be climbed, but one of the hardest days, today is over. I am proud of my accomplishments so far. I don't know what the downhill tomorrow is like, and they have been quite treacherous in the past. But I just take it slow and steady. I have a private room tonight. 26 euros, no sheets, I was able to get them to give me a couple of towels...I have blankets, and there is a nice warm radiator in my room.clothes I have rinsed are drying nicely. What else could one possibly need. I've showered and heading out for some vino blanco....
Tomorrow is another 20 km day, I've got another private room booked already, so,all is well with the world. In one week I will be a day out of Santiago....

This afternoon I have mapped out the last and final week of my trip... I am terribly excited to be done with this massive undertaking I have done in the spirit of God. I feel immensely happy, and hope that I can make it to the end injury free.

I heard today about a Korean girl who has been walking with a knee injury. She arrived to her albuergue with her 3 friends and was hysterical. I heard they think she had a nervous breakdown from the pressures of walking with so much pain. I can certainly understand this happening, so sad.

That's all for today, buen camino!!!!

Day 34 Trabedelos to La Faba June 7th

Km traveled about 13.5 (8.6 miles) elevation gained 320 meters (960 feet)

No wireless today, so I will post this tomorrow, when wireless is available.
Today started out on country roads, which were very nice, and then we transitioned to a very steep, rocky path. The weather was cool, with on and off rain. Not bad.
I had a good day, with the mountain dedicated to women. While I was walking, I was thinking of my grand girls, and prayed for them as well. Lucy, Harper, Finley, and little Claire.
Lots of animals seen today.






Pretty little kittens.


A baby foal and its mom.


Lots of little brooks and streams...






The hugest snail, about 6 inches long...


And a very rocky trail up....


I am sitting outside of a monastery recommended by many. It's chilly but I am well. I finish climbing the mountain tomorrow.

I have to share something I saw today. Standing outside if our albuergue was a man with a peanut attached to his ear. On further inspection, I decided it wasn't an earring. It was a full peanut in the shell. I had to ask him what it was for. He told me he glued it on there to help him quit smoking. And he said that it works!!! I will be opening my stop smoking clinic when I get home $50 per peanut gluing.... This has to be the strangest thing I have seen thus far on the camino.







Tonight I pitched in on a communal meal.
We made spaghetti, garlic bread and fruit salad.
I ate with Jonathan, far left from Quebec, who cooked, Carla from holland, Elizabeth from New Jersey, Hazel who youncant see from Swizerland and Paul from Arizona. A great meal with fellowship. A first communal meal on the camino.


Happy Friday!l
And I hope I make it over the mountain. Shipping my pack again... Feet still bad.


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Day 32 Cacabelos to Trabedelo

Km walked about 22 km (12 miles) elevation gain, about 100 meters (300 feet)



It was a great walk today. The day was cool and cloudy, perfect for walking.
I decided to ship my pack today. They have a service, a quite nice one, I might add, where you can pay 7 euros and a taxi service will take your pack to your next designated stop. A great thing for people who can't or are tired(like me).
It made a big difference in how I am feeling today. I bought just a string little daypack for my water, valuables and raincoat.
I put my raincoat on three times today, and each time I was successful in warding off the rain.

Today I walked through the town where the 6 fingered man in Spain lives. Inigo Montoya ( I actually remember his name from the movie the princess bride) would be happy to know that he lives in the little town of Valtuille de Arriba
Here is a picture of his hand print.....














The path was nice today there were grape vines
Many trees,



There were cherry trees, which I had a few,



And there were almond trees, which were pointed out to me...


There was much crop tending and picking going on...



I had a good day, this is a picture of me and a Spanish professor from Italy, who is walking the camino with 14 of his students. He's 68, and I think he said he's done the camino or parts of it 4 times. He always has a pouch of wine with him in the afternoons. Nice guy, named Eleazer.
He collects flowers all day for his hat and staff. A true believer of the spirit of the camino.




Tomorrow is my big climb up the mountain O Cebreiro. I am only going up halfway and will stay in a monastery run by a German Confraternity. So it will be about 13 km only but about a 320 meter ( 960 feet) climb. I'm not sure if there will be Internet, but will post if I am able.
All is well, except toes, but the rest of me is having a wonderful time. I'm getting closer and closer to the end.
Take care everyone, and thanks for your love and supportive comments

Tomorrows mountain climb is dedicated to the women in my life.
My walking sticks will walk to the beat of
Mom-Andrea- Danyel-Sydney, and then Nancy-Monet-Chris-Rita-Dolly
I know those strong girls will get me up there!!