A slow day

It was a later start with the nuns coming to check we were all up and wishing us a heartfelt buen camino. I said my final farewell to the cyclist Vanessa. I'll miss her.
As I headed out on my own, my head was distracted, and I got a little lost... not far out, but enough that a delightful man in a car came to a stop in the middle of a round about to redirect me.

A day where I chose to walk in solitude for the first half. The walk started out feeling tedious, and my heart wasn't in it. My head was elsewhere. The trail was long and straight, and aside the main road. Today, the meseta lost some of its magic for me.

I stopped to make a couple of calls back home and was soon passed by so many people with whom I have shared this journey. People whose names and faces are etched in my heart. We have laughed together, cried together, and kept each other going through so many miles. You simply don't forget those people

It was not long before I arrived at the first coffee stop, which was an amazing van parked up serving coffee, orange juice, and food. What a lovely treat.

Here I caught up with Lidia, the bubbly and lovely young Spanish girl, and Frederico, a really chatty Italian.

We whiled away the miles to the lunch stop. I said sad farewells to Marco, Vinchenzo, Caesar, Eleanora and so many others. I sat chatting with 2 girls from the Netherlands and a French girl whose names escape me. This was to be my destination for today, but with the rain forecast for tomorrow, i decided to push on. After a drink, I headed out with these 3 plus Lidia and Frederico

The afternoon passed quickly as we played a game of 'I went on a holiday and with me I took...' we got to a running list of 44 items to memorise before we called it quits.

We were joined by an older Italian man, Antonio. He is lovely and wanted to show me photos of his grandson who is in Adelaide.

When we parted ways tonight, Lidia and I exchanged hugs and phone numbers. I will forever remember her beautiful smile and her laughter.

I'm in a dorm tonight . I couldn't tell you how many others are here. I chose not to do the pilgrim's meal. I'm just not feeling it.

Tomorrow? About 10 miles to walk to Sahagun- the mid way point and where this journey will close for now.

Steps today 36589
Miles today 17.65
Total miles 355.44Read more