Cal’s Camino Adventures

Today’s biggest event.. I’ve just lost a toenail 🥴.. not sure how that will feel tomorrow, but hey ho!!
At the beginning of this walk I did see a few people wearing sandals, or socks and sandals 😳 and it crossed my mind that maybe that was the proper pilgrim way. As the weeks have gone on, I’ve seen more and more.. mostly with feet and/ or toes taped up and big heel plasters on !!
It seems it’s when your feet are too sore to wear your shoes / boots that’s the thing to do!
There is one guy on the road at the moment ( I’m feeling a little bit like I’m the only one not to have bumped into him yet ) from Honduras, who’s doing it bare foot!!! He has an incredible back story as to why he’s doing it and I feel sure I’ll be reading a book or seeing a movie about it in a couple of years.. unbelievable story.
The rain of yesterday and overnight was due to stop about 8ish this morning, so there didn’t seem too greater rush for a lot of people to get going this morning..
Today’s walk into Leon was never going to be a great one, everything I’d read had already said so. It was fine though, and I was really looking forward to getting to Leon, with it having so much to see and visit.
I wasn’t disappointed, I’m staying in the old town, lots of small narrow streets bustling with bars and tapas places.. definitely hit lucky with where I’m staying.. I had a fabulous afternoon, just wandering around, visiting the Cathedral etc., drinking beer and eating tapas.. for once I’m really glad dinner isn’t until 8pm.
I had a very brief panic at 5.45 am when my phone rang, assuming something had happened at home.. nope, it was Rocky .. already 5km out of town, saying he was sorry we didn’t catch up last night, but hopefully would again in the next few days!! 😂😂Leia mais

This morning’s walk started off freezing cold, for the first hour I seriously thought I should have put tights on.. I’d even have worn hat and gloves if I’d had them to hand!!
Soon afterwards it started to warm up, and actually became really quite hot.
It’s fair to say I absolutely loved it today, the route headed up into the mountains and it was constant climbing the whole time.. actually finished at 1440 meters ( 4725 foot ) the scenery was amazing, the sky was blue ( my stomach had stopped hurting ) and I was going uphill.. yes!!!!
I passed so many people today, Henry, who I said goodbye to, as he’s heading back home on the train tomorrow.. Bianca, who gave me a pilgrims card .. apparently the card you choose is the one that speaks to you and that’s why you pick that particular one.. mine was “ choose wisely “ I’ll put a picture on..
Chloe and Ben, who were sat halfway up a climb and offered me a biscuit as I passed … the two Italian guy’s who say “ beep beep “ every time they see me ( even in a restaurant!! ) after christening me the roadrunner in the first week. I even had another Spanish guy on a mountain bike shout “ Isle of Man, Isle of Man “ give me a thumbs up and a high five!!
A couple of my regulars got a taxi today as they’d been struggling and decided today’s wasn’t a good idea for them.
I do admit to being a bit distracted at times, msging Steve to see how Hannah was doing in the E2E… Wowsa.. what an absolute star ⭐️ I’m so proud of you 🥰
I’d been led to believe that this wasn’t a great place to stay and looked more like a village that had been bombed and abandoned… to be fair it kind of does, but it’s now been rebuilt amongst the original buildings and I’ve really enjoyed my stay here… helped by the lady offering to do my laundry!! I could have hugged her!!
I will never again take for granted, or think using a washing machine is a chore…..Leia mais