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- Oct 12, 2019, 8:20pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 646 m
- SpainLa RiojaSanto Domingo de la Calzada42°26’28” N 2°57’8” W
Ventosa to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
October 12, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
If there was a day that would test my resolve, it was yesterday. I walked in the afternoon sun to the physical protest of my lower right leg above my ankle, adjacent to a broken bone injury that I suffered 17 years ago. Further, I was hoping that the warm dry air would help clear what I felt was a budding chest infection. Whilst I most wanted to go to bed, I believed that I'd get through with fortitude.
Falling asleep at 9pm, and waking at 6am feeling refreshed gave me a renewed sense of confidence and determination to push on. Thinking that a 25km day would be sufficient, it surprised me that I wanted to walk another 6km from Cirueña to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. This puts me a full day ahead of a loose schedule that I'd put together before leaving Australia. This now gives me some flexibility to slow down if I need it.
At this stage of the journey I find that each step is carefully considered given the effects that it could have on a sore ankle joint, or a developing blister. This may pertain to avoiding a large stone, or not slipping of a high street kurb.
Given that I've now been on the trail for a week, I keep seeing a few of the same pilgrims at various points along the way, recognisable sometimes when a few hundred metres ahead, with the telltale signs of the way that they walk, their packs, or even their pace. However, the number of familiar faces is decreasing due to the distance that I'm covering each day, so it is welcome to arrive at an albergue and see someone who has kept a similar pace.
I made my first language error a couple of days ago when I asked a cafe operator for advice about where to refill my water bottle. Confusing the word 'Puente' (bridge) with 'fuente' (fountain), I effectively asked him to direct me to the 'water bridge'. His quizzical facial response quickly told me that my Spanish wasn't quite as good as I had wanted to believe. When I pointed to my empty bottle he kindly offered to fill it for me. I've come to learn that like most people, if treated with respect the Spanish are very gracious.
An unexpected but short thunderstorm ordered me to quickly retrieve my laundry from the washing line. With the modern conveniences that we take for granted not available most of the time, I had no option but to accept a light shower.
Steps: 46,000
Distance: 31.1km
Total Distance walked from St-Jean: 213.7Read more