Camino Via de la Plata

Breakfast at 6.15 am - Cafe con leche and toast
Left around 6.30 in the dark. I had planned to leave a little earlier but luckily I didn’t. Just on the edge of town I met two other peregrinos with a headlamp so I could follow them and not use up my phone battery.
The initial walk along a main road was tricky so I was incredibly grateful to have these two guides - Camino Angels.
All the people I have met so far are Spanish with little or no English. One of my fellow walkers was very talkative so I taught him some English words and he taught me some Spanish. He was a fan of Uriah Heap.
Most of the day we walked through the rural areas and it was slightly up hill all the way - I was pretty tired by the end. I walked with Juan and Tomas for about 10 km and then stopped for a break as they went off ahead.
About 3 km along I slightly turned my left ankle - the one I sprained 3 years ago. I guess it still isn’t as strong as I imagined. But it was not too bad and with my poles and concentration I finished the mornings walk.
Of course I left my ankle strap behind thinking that my ankle was good now. Haha. Good thing we are walking from town to town and I can get anything I need - next stop Farmacia for an ankle bandage.
Oops. Farmacia closed at 2 pm
So for tomorrow I decided to take a taxi half way - to the National Park which is then a flat walk - get my pack sent ahead- and walk the last 12 km in the Park with my day pack. Have drugs and cream and a pressure sock so hopefully that will be enough.
And as I returned to the albergue I was invited to share a taxi in exactly this way. Blessings abound. And the English speaking host at the albergue booked my next accomodation and arranged for the taxi to take my bag ahead. How blessed am I.
There is an Australian (Wollongong) couple here today, a young man from Switzerland and the rest Spanish.
All is good. I feel safe and protected in all ways.
Buen CaminoRead more

Oh what a night…..
The scratchy throat bothered me all afternoon and evening. I really was not feeling well. Then I remembered the little lolly shop just down the road which was open in the afternoon for the kids.
Remember Spain has a solid siesta anywhere from 2 - 6 pm and nowhere else was open. So I went down and with the help of the lovely lady proprietor found some throat lozenges.
They were a great help. A while later my eyes started streaming. That’s when I realised this was an allergy and not a bug, so I dived into my antihistamines (sleepy ones) and finally had a pretty good nights sleep.
Feeling better this morning though still not 100%. It’s only 13 km today and the weather is significantly cooler so I can have a bit of a lie in. There was only one other person at this albergue, Martin from Switzerland, and he left early for his 34 km day. There are around 9 pilgrims per day at the moment. So I am not alone but can have my alone time as needed.
Today was really sweet. I walked with a man from Italy who, when he was a boy, had been traumatised by a dog. And there were plenty of dogs today so he stuck close to me. I also walked with the Italian couple again. They are older and go at my pace.
This route today took us off road through a number of farms with plenty of dogs, pigs, and goats for meat and milk.
I also passed my first shrine - to Mother Mary. I spent a few quite moments with her and felt the deep stillness and peace that is really everywhere but seemingly easier to connect to in such places.
I feel very much at home in Spain even though I hardly understand a thing. People are generally kind and patient although sometimes look at me like I am an idiot - and I don’t blame them. I am practicing my Spanish every night and am getting a little better.
After we arrived at El Real and found our accommodation, my three walking companions and I had a great mid afternoon lunch. My Italian friend has a bit of English so he could translate - and I have Google.
There is an old castle from the Middle Ages on the hill overlooking El Real. I walked up there for a good view of the surrounding countryside. Except for the types of trees I could be in Australia.
The sunrises and sunsets have been spectacular and the light has its own special glow.
Buen Camino.Read more