Arroyo de Páramo

"Stay strong as you live your life story and remember your blessings, no matter what circumstances you face." - Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez

Day 12 - Burgos to Rabé de las Calzadas - 12.8 km

Finally! I was able to have physio this morning and play stump the Physiotherapist. First you need to understand that I have weird feet. I have huge big toes and osteoarthritis in the joints of them. My toes do not bend back like most people’s toes do, and I have had tow issues when I walk, for most of my life. When I arrived, “Carlos” watched me walk and right away could see that I was pronating and quite badly on my right side. We went over what I was experiencing and he watched me walk again, but barefoot. I explained about my shoes and why I chose them (zero heel drop = no toe issues for me!!) and he seemed impressed that I not only recognized that but that it is working well for me - for toe issues. What isn’t working is how badly I am pronating. After pushing and prodding, pulling and twisting, he thinks I have a compression issue resulting in soft tissue damage and some ligament irritation. He worked the foot for quite a while and then had me walk again. He is shocked that I have learned to walk without using my toes at all. Uummm ok. I didn’t know I did that but yay me?! He gave me a soft silicone thing that has a raised egg shaped portion to it. I wear this on my foot to help with the probation and hopefully help with the compression issue. I am to try this for 3 days and call back to let him know if it has had any positive effect. Day 1 - pain seems to have moved more to where he shows me the ligament is… not sure it is helping but will stay open minded until the end of day 3. I told him if my plan to do 3 short days and he said that was the best way - and to send my pack ahead so I did not put unnecessary stress on my feet /joints. All well and good, but I didn’t do it today (has to be booked the night before), but I have booked for tomorrow.

Today is another gratitude day:
• Had the long sought after physio appointment
• Walked about 13 km to this lovely little village
• Had a hot shower!! (bliss when there is hot water!)
• Enjoyed a glass of wine and tapas (chorizo sausage and a hard boiled egg) at a bar and sat chatting with 3 Americans for over an hour
• Clothes getting an actual laundry wash and dry - being done for me, not by me
• Homemade food and the chance to connect with fellow pilgrims
• Not only got a bottom bunk, but having a room of 8 to myself!!

I love just wandering when I get to places like this. Just discovering the town I am in, relaxing and just “being”. This town is super pretty and very well cared for. Lots of flowers in window baskets, old stone buildings and a great little bar!

Great pilgrims dinner of homemade saffron soup with noodles, mixed salad, tortilla (Spanish potato pie almost) and yogurt for dessert. At the table we had a couple from Munich, German who walked out their front door on 8 June - and are still walking, a man from Florida who is on his 7th Camino (various routes - this one twice), a man from Indiana who sounds just like my Uncle Len, a lady from Illinois that had biked a portion of the Camino but is now walking, a lady from Ste Clair, Quebec and another from Toronto, currently living in Montreal.

Onward tomorrow, to a small eco Albergue in the middle of nowhere. Should be interesting.Read more

Today was a nice, calm easy day with a 13km walk on my first day in the Meseta. It was sun and clouds with a breeze so no major sweat happening. The sky was huge with lots of white fluffy clouds, Jörg would have loved this weather day.

I woke up around 8am. I took my time and really organized my bag. I know it is too heavy, I don’t feel it, but I know it can’t be good for my feet. Luckily I think I have lost weight off my body as it is hard to keep my shorts from falling down, so that is already less weight on the feet.

I finally made the decision to ditch the sleeping bag. I have not used it yet and it takes up so much space. I have a liner with me and I have never been cold. I know it will get colder, but the albergues often offer blankets and if not, then I will just wear more clothes to sleep in. Let’s see, I may regret that decision.

I also decided to cut the pages out of my guide book that I have already read. Surprisingly, I feel the difference in the weight.

After getting all packed, I headed out to find a bank machine and then by 10am, I was at the outdoor store. They had some injinji socks so I bought a couple pair more. I really hope they continue to help keep the blisters away. I just have one blister on one of my baby toes that refuses to go down without a fight.

Today I passed the 500km left to go mark, done 300km so that feels good … almost halfway!

I enjoy this town that I am staying in. Again, I am staying in the same albergue as Jörg and I did in 2009. I am not really doing it on purpose, but when there is opportunity to do it, I will.

Ok, dinner is at 6pm here at the albergue so I will sign off now.

TTYLRead more