Garrapito

Extremadura - a day of rolling wheat fields: some recently harvested and some already plowed ready for winter sowing.
I think today was the easiest longer distance so far. No mountains to climb, cooler weather - but still that last 5 km seems like the previous 15 put together.
I am feeling much better - ankle has nearly recovered and should be OK, as long as it doesn’t twist again (it is weaker and more prone to giving way) and my throat seems to have consolidated into something more like a head cold, and the body is slowly getting stronger - all in all not too bad
I am the slowest in my small group and I think they take it in turns to wait for me. They are so kind. We also met Max from Canada who started in Sevilla a bit after me - a young man who caught up with us oldies. 🤣🤣🤣
I might have already mentioned that the Spanish couple are 67 and the Italian man is 51.
Our 20 km took us to Fuente but accomodation there is very expensive so we took a taxi 6 km to the next town and we are in a lovely Albergue beside the church. This will also make tomorrow’s stage only 16 km.
A lady came and opened the church at 6 pm and I am sitting here writing my blog.
I notice that since we entered Extremadura there are a lot more signs of Christianity than in Andelusia. Given that Andelusia was the last Moorish stronghold in that terrible war I can understand the general antipathy towards Christianity. I was pretty distressed myself with the actions of the Christian army and I was just a visitor.
However true spirituality manifests as Love no matter what the outer ‘covering’ and given this is a Christian pilgrimage route I am happy to see the Christian churches open and more wayside shrines.
The two churches I have been in so far all honour Mother Mary (Ave Maria) with a very gentle and lovely energy.
It feels very nice sitting here - safe and calm. An older couple just arrived and I hope they don’t take offence at my writing the blog.
The time and energy that goes into creating all the sacred objects and statues is amazing - but it is certainly one way to keep the mind and heart on the higher virtues and on the Divine.
Maybe this is why I am and many others walk the Camino de Santiago- to connect to that stream of Love that is the essence of all paths and faiths.Read more