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- Oct 25, 2022, 7:26am
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 647 m
- SpainCastille and LeónZamoraPuerta y Palacio de Doña Urraca41°30’18” N 5°44’53” W
Day 35 - Montemarte - 20.2 km
October 25, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Weather report - cool with a couple of bits of light rain
Clothes - short sleeved merino, light wind fleece, rain jacket and trekking pants.
Well - what a difference a day makes. And I think the difference might be a combo of food and more people.
So let’s back up a little. Last night’s pilgrim dinner was a delight in terms of companionship but maybe not so beneficial in terms of food. We didn’t eat until about 8 or even a bit later- pasta and salad. Now I have to say the pasta was fabulous, but ….
I didn’t have a very happy day today. In fact this day has been the most distressing so far. And nothing bad really happened.
I had a 7.15 am start and I got to my destination around 11.45 am. The road was basically flat and the weather was good with only occasional light rain. I was really impressed with my time. I stopped a few times as my foot did give me some pain. There were a couple of guys ahead of me and the young French man, Jerome, from a week ago, behind me.
Seemingly all good.
Then … I couldn’t find the albergue - and took another 30 mins, asking for directions, not really understanding them, and walking around in circles. I felt tears threaten. I thought Jerome would already be there, wondering what had happened to me.
Eventually I tracked down the albergue and as I arrived I saw Jerome coming from the other direction. We had both got lost.
Then within the next 30 mins another 4 or 5 others arrived, all male, all choosing this stopping point. I felt a bit shocked and quite unnerved. I hadn’t expected so many people. People showered, put on washing, one man went shopping and started cooking lunch, some lay down for a rest. And I didn’t know what to do with myself
After a while I realised I needed food so I returned to my usual routine: find a bar, eat and have a glass of wine. As I walked to town over the bridge I just wanted to cry - and I did - a bit.
I have really enjoyed my solo Camino experience. Now that there are more people around I notice I get side tracked by others. I forget my own needs and lose concentration on my own agenda.
Last night I left one of my good pairs of socks behind. Aagghh. So now in the last few days it’s the tiny towel, scarf and socks all left behind.
Maybe I am getting tired? Walking a Camino actually takes a lot of focus and concentration - working out where to stop next, checking on the weather, where to get food, how much food to carry, organising your stuff.
I think now my practice needs to be - stay focused on me, on what I need and what I am doing, not on those around me.
I am wondering if things will get busier, with more people. I hope not. I might become the anti social pilgrim.
Anyway I have just finished lunch. I don’t really want to go back to the albergue so I will finish this blog, and then go back and stick my nose in my online book.
And see what tomorrow brings.
Buen Camino
Evening update
I didn’t have my giant Menu del Dia lunch today - they didn’t offer it at the cafe -so I only had one course. Then later in the afternoon I got really cold and angry and sad.
I went to the shop but it was closed for siesta. Grrrrr. So I went later. For dinner I made pasta with tomato and tuna and had two delicious Spanish pears and some yogurt. I ate around 7 pm and now I am warm and feel pretty fine - relaxed and ready to wind down.
It would seem that what I eat and when I eat is critical to my success. I can’t afford to let myself run on empty- particularly in a cold albergue with no heating.
The other guys are just eating now at 8,00 pm - definitely too late for me.
The other thing I noticed is that one of the guys seemed really loud, often on the phone and speaking in a loud voice to others. I think that was one of the things that got to me earlier.
However all’s well that ends well.
This was a psychologically difficult day.
I think tomorrow will be better.
PS.
The weather forecast says it’s getting warmer.
11 - 22 tomorrow with no wind warnings. 👏👏🥰🥰😀😀Read more
Traveler Hang in there Pilgrim ! The eating thing I find really tricky with Spanish timings especially on the longer days if you get in after 2pm. Waiting till 8pm is a killer especially when I need a steak and cerveza at 3 ! Don't fret the small stuff - you'll find socks and a towel - the camino will provide. Just get your routine going - walk your camino not to the beat of others. Bit of adjustment when you've had places virtually to yourself and suddenly end up with a crowd. Amazing how quickly you adjust to the rhythm and relative solitude of the VDP. I found I couldn't wait to get out of the cities and on the trail. Hope tomorrow is a better day - your last on the VDP before the Sanabres. Its a great walk out of town but the rest of the trail to Granja is not particularly memorable but that will change soon :)
Traveler Thanks for the encouragement Bill. It felt so strange thinking 4 guys is a crowd. 😂. And I have been feeling a bit apprehensive about the Sanabres for some reason. Your words have come at the right time. I got another towel in Zamora and I still have two pairs of socks so will be ok for a bit. I tend to lose focus in the middle of projects so I guess this is no different. Tomorrow is a new day. 🙏😀🙏
Traveler Exactly ! So enjoy tomorrow and your end of VDP drink tomorrow - you've earned it. I think you'll love the Sanabres. Some nice hills, but you will build up to them, and a change of scenery. Your warm gear will come in handy i'm sure :)
Traveler Morning now and just waiting for my phone to charge up a bit more. Last day in VDLP - no wonder a few old feelings have arisen. Last inner clean out before Sanabres. I feel pretty confident now about clothes and weather. Have yet to put ALL my clothes on so think I will be ok further north. Again thanks so much for being a bit of a cheer squad. 🙏👏🙏👏