Day 55 - A Laxa - 31.6 km

Weather: 6 - 13 degrees. Rain predicted.
Clothes: Same as yesterday

Celebration 🎉🎉🙏🌞😄😇🥰😮‍💨🌈💕
I walked 31 km today with my pack - because there was no accommodation between last night and A Laxe - and with one long and difficult climb this morning. And I’m still standing.

Inner preparation
After last nights Vespers it took me a long time to get to sleep and I wondered how the day would go. I gave my self permission to get a taxi if needed but as I left this morning it felt like the body would/ could do this long day. I estimated 10 hours which would give me time for intermittent short breaks and a long lunch break.

The walk
I started of with my French companion in the dark (7.30 am) on what turned out to be an extended climb along a rocky and steep water course. I realise now that this could be called a slightly technical climb as I had to constantly look at where I was putting my feet and plan ahead to find the most dry and easiest way up. I have walked (climbed) so many of these now that I sort of know the ropes - or rocks - as it were.
However this was a long climb in the dark and needed lots of concentration, planning and quick reactions. It was physically and mentally demanding - and tiring. I remembered other times when I wondered if these sorts of challenges would ever end. Now when that thought arose I knew it was pretty silly - this would end - and just kept going. My legs were a bit wobbly towards the final ascent but with a few rests I got to the top.
We had a wonderful companion for the first 6 km. The huge black dog that belonged to the monastery walked with us. My French amigo said she often had dog companions. She walked on faster than me and told me later that when she got to a particular small village the dog sat and looked at her to see that she was continuing in the correct direction and then turned and headed for home.
The rest of the day was relatively easy. A few ups but mainly down - and again through the lovely Galician country side.
The landscape became more open as the day progressed with more villages and settlements along the way. And more cows.
I had a number of short stops for breakfast, snacks, more coffee and a full lunch at 3 pm.
I arrived at the albergue at 5.30 pm. My 10 hour estimate was correct. For me eating the right sort of food at the right time is so important. I finished the day tired, but after a shower and a peppermint tea I feel fine. Tomorrow is a short day to give the body time to recover.
Interestingly I feel like I’m waking up from a long (Camino) dream refreshed and curious about what lies ahead. 🙃🙂😇

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