Pontevedra to Combarro

Soaking rain then stinging rain. I separated from the Central Camino to the Spiritual Variant. This will eventually follow the path supposedly taken by St James’ (Sant Iago) followers when they returned his remains via boat to Spain. James went back to Jerusalem after trying to convert the folks of the Iberian peninsula. It didn’t turn out well for him in Jerusalem.

At times the path is just wide enough for one and that’s with the brush fighting to keep your walking sticks. With the moderate rain, those narrow paths were muddy, a little slippery and the effort was finding the right next step to minimize soakage. My bladder lost it, then when I finally got to a cafe and changed out of my rain-soaked shirt, the zipper on my sweatshirt lost it. I scrambled to get a safety pin to cover some part of me and slouched through lunch.
The hotel had laundry service, a tub, and a very good restaurant across the street. Such a blessing.

A couple ladies from New Zealand crossed paths with me a few times. They asked what was my favorite part so far and I said the smell of eucalyptus. Makes me grin thinking of the conversation.

Inner journey: sometimes all I can do on this trek is focus on the moment, where to step and to anchor myself with my poles, ready to stop any slide or fall.Read more