Camino de Santiago

I wake up.

My foot is slightly better, maybe. But not 22km to Padrón, okay. I grab my rucksack and get it tagged and ready to be picked up by 9am.

I then head out to the bike store. And try the app to unlock the bike. It’s only €16 for the rental to padron but I have to put a deposit of €100 down, so was nervous.

I try it out in the car park nearby. And I get the electric on it to work once cycling. I then commit to taking it and walking it out to a footpath.

I hear a shout “Hey, UK Girl!” - it was the woman I was talking to at the hot spring. Literally the only other person I spoke to yesterday other than the physio and albergue host. She’s ask how my foot is and I say I am gonna take the bike to which her and her friend cheerlead me on. I felt empowered that little bit more leaving, despite taking off in the wrong direction. But all good a local flagged me immediately and turned me around.

I took to the bike quite quickly. Although as expected the amount of pilgrims made the route more tricker as there was much more braking than ideal. But without a helmet I went much slower than what possible.

And I was fine with the bumps of the forest track. Even fine standing and cycling for a while. There was just one moment where I person decided to not go the way they’d decided to when letting me through, where braking caused me to jaunt and almost fall over. But another pilgrim caught and re-stabilised me.

A few times I lost momentum and other pilgrims would help start me off by pushing.

It was on the whole and enjoyable experience. Going faster meant I missed a few yellow arrows, but locals were quick to point out how to get back to the Camino. Including a man who stopped his car to get back out.

Just before Padron I asked Carlos (the guy who had the bikes) what code I use at the drop off point - although he told me what it was he also said he’d be happy to pick it up from my albergue. Meaning I had the bike for another 6km.

With this info I grabbed a quick coffee and went into the church at Padron to see the legendary stone that sits beneath the pulpit.

With rain looming I set off for the last bit to the albergue. But rain set in before. I stopped under a tree and changed into my Mac. I also had a quick stop 6 mins away during a torrential downpour, where of the other 2 people in there, also happened to be the UK man now living in Portugal Julie and I met back in Acora. We discussed how the rest of the Camino went for both as they had taken the spiritual and litoral after Caminha. We also discussed foot pain management and traded lemon cake for painkillers.

A gap in the rain gave me the chance to head off. I had a bit of a hard time mounting the bike outside the church and almost fell over but managed. And it wasn’t long before I arrived. And just as I did Carlos arrived to take the bike back. And as I entered the Albergue, my rucksack was waiting for me. I couldn’t believe how easy (with all the elements) the day had ended up being. I’d of thought something at least was going to go wrong, but no. It’s as if the Camino is willing me to succeed.

I have a few chance conversations with other pilgrims. All who are going on to Santiago tomorrow, unlike me who is splitting it and going to the town just before. About 7km out with the hope of getting there in the morning on Sunday.

I take a shower. Make my bed and go to bed relatively early. Not knowing if I’m taking a bus part way or walking to Milladoiro tomorrow.

But I do go to bed being immensely proud at my attempt and achievement in continuing the Camino…Read more