The Eve of the end

Day 22 Arzua to O Pedrouzo
Walked 22km
6 hours walking
507.69km walked so far
690,678 steps so far

Yesterday was a really big day. I should’ve slept like the dead, but my feet and legs are protesting a bit now. They’re not injured, just that radiating soreness that arrives
in the evening after a long day walking.
I did finally drift off though.
I was up and out just after 7am. The accommodation was booked out for breakfast, so they had made me a little picnic breakfast to take with me.
The mornings are so cool and nice, and as an early riser I would much rather get on the road and get a few good hours in before the heat.
I walked with Caro from New Zealand this morning. She has walked the entire French Way on her own. She is married, has two grown daughters, and manages an aged care and retirement village. She was lovely company.
We talked about our dogs and how much we missed them. I told her my theory that Camino dogs are so sick of walkers that they are very ignorant, and she agreed.
After walking for about an hour, I saw a cafe and needed a wee stop, so Caro kept going. I love this part of it, just little slices of your day spent with others, but no commitments.
As I walked into the cafe, the most beautiful dog came over to me. As I leaned down, he snuggled into my leg. I sat down on the ground and he just leaned into me for a pat, and I got my dog fix. I sat there for what felt like ages patting him.
You cannot tell me that dogs, and animals in general, aren’t therapeutic.
There was lots of beautiful scenery again today. I know I say it every day, but nature has been such a gift on this walk. There are lots of gum/eucalypt plantations on this stretch too, so at times I could almost think I was back in Australia.
Another young lass said hello, and I said hello back. She was quick to hear my Australian accent and zoomed in. Lovely young adventurer Sonia from Brisbane, with an open-ended travel opportunity but totally confused about what to do next, a nice dilemma to be in.
My right foot has had enough now. I’m not sure if it’s because I know I’m finishing tomorrow, and I wonder how much of it is mind over matter. It was all preventable so a lesson well learnt.
I’m really happy with how my body has held up physically though, it’s done its job and I think my preparation helped with that.
We arrived at our hotel this afternoon and our luggage had been delivered elsewhere, so I’m lying on the bed, smelly and not even able to shower until our luggage is found and delivered. Kind of a nice excuse to do nothing though.
It’s funny accommodation, full roadworks out the front, noisy workers, and not very aesthetically appealing from the outside. But the accommodation itself is clean and bright, and we have a beautiful little backyard with a veggie patch and geraniums. The afternoon sun is a bit much at the moment though.and there’s no aircon.
Tomorrow is the day.
I’m excited for it and also sad for it. I’m not sure if I’ll be emotional as I arrive at St James’s Cathedral, or whether I’ll just think, “Thank fuck, I can sleep in tomorrow.”
This is 23 days straight of walking
I have some adventures planned in the couple of days following my arrival, so that might keep me high.
But tonight, I think I’ll just let my feet ache, let the day settle, and try to take in the fact that tomorrow I walk into Santiago.
Part 2
I went out for dinner with Cyn and Wendy and ordered a mixed plate of chicken, chips and croquettes, when it came out it was a full plate of chips, 2 chicken schnitzels and 4 croquettes, I’m a big eater but that’s extreme. I then headed back to the room and treated myself to a massage and a restavit - over and out xxxRead more