Day 21 - Summary - personal

Confession-
I was quite resistant to walking this Camino. Why?
It was too hard: too long: too boring: too lonely and I was feeling too lazy. I had a belief that I wasn’t fit or strong enough; and add to that my existing foot problem (the old Morton’s Neuroma). I had a belief that I wouldn’t be able to do it.
And now …
I have walked. around 360 km, taken a bus for 68 km and a taxi for 12 km to either find some accommodation or to make a really long stage doable.
On two or three afternoons I walked for a few hours in appalling heat, no shade and seemingly never ending flat plains; and reached our destination without disintegrating. I had plenty of water, my shady umbrella and companions to keep me going. It was indescribably hard but it was done. And I learnt that nothing lasts forever.
I discovered that I can walk 18 - 20 km before my foot starts to hurt and if I use some Voltarin Forte cream I can walk for another 5 km. But I don’t walk to create long term damage so I will stick to 20 km or less every day.
I am now in the green hilly country that is more like the Spain I know from previous Caminos. And there are more fellow peregrinos - which has given me some opportunities to share and hear from others.
I confessed to one of my fellow peregrinos that ‘I don’t like this Camino’ and they agreed with me that this first part was really hard for them too.
Well the second 10 days have been an improvement on the first 10 days.
I have moved from the hot hot plains to the hill country where it is more cool and green.
Highlights
Walking with a group of Spanish ‘supermen’ and one woman. I did some longer days and afternoons in the heat (32 degrees) and learnt I can do much more than I think.Read more