Valdemerilla

Weather: 1 - 14 degrees 😰 but no rain and sun later in the morning.
Clothes: Long sleeve and singlet merino top, lightweight fleece, rain jacket ( for warmth) and trekking pants.

The Walk
First stop - bar around the corner for a coffee. ☕️
There was no rain but there was a wonderful fog until around midday. Again reminding me of winter in the Snowy Mountains.
The day took me through a corridor of trees, past a rabbit and then a group of deer bouncing across the road in the misty distance. Later there were a number of small villages- so sweet - and steeper ups and downs as we climb further into this current range of mountains.
I met two peregrinos on the road - the first on a bike and then a man on foot passed me as I sat on a stone to have a snack and a rest.
I arrived at Asturianos around 2 pm, saw a Bar just along the road and ordered Ensalata Mixta - my favourite.
When I arrived at the albergue the man I met in the road was there but pretty soon others followed. A German man, two Italians, a. Spanish woman - so now we are six. Even though I spent virtually all day alone the numbers are increasing as the days go by. Some started in Sevilla in early October and have caught up with me and passed me, and others have started at various other places like Salamanca and Zamora.
The albergue is next to a sports centre with its own bar and large outdoor picnic area. I think they must have a rifle range as well because I heard shooting.
I finished my day with some yoga outside on the grass in the sun.
Last thing was a quick trip to the shop for a bit of supper and something to eat in the way tomorrow - but was closed because today is a public holiday - for honouring the dead - like Hallowe’en.

Camino Magic
Around 10.30 am Juan on the bike walked with me for a few minutes and then we stopped as he shared some information about accomodation for tomorrow in Puebla de Sanabrés. He will be there tonight. It was a strangely intimate and warm interaction. Then he headed off in his bike (Buen Camino) and I started walking again. I immediately noticed the pain in my knee had completely disappeared. Was Juan some kind of shaman? I contemplated and reflected.
At one point earlier I had had a little chat with my Higher Power and agreed to continue at a slow pace and not keep hankering after 20+ km days. Part of me wants to show I can do these longer days. But I agreed to under 20 km days - so now I don’t need a dodgy knee to keep me at that pace. So whether is was Juan or surrender to the Greater Wisdom, the knee seems to have miraculously stopped hurting.
I did take an ibuprofen and 2 Panadol much earlier but the miraculous‘healing’ seemed to happen a very long time after that.
Whatever - I am very happy.

Reflection on persistence
This morning I had the urge to chant the Rudram - an ancient Vedic chant. Unfortunately the one thing I didn’t do before I left home was to load up my spiritual music into my current phone. So I found the Rudram on YouTube and played it for a few minutes. I didn’t do the whole thing because I wasn’t on Wifi and I didn’t want to use my data. Anyway, then I just felt like sitting quietly, which I did for a few moments. Then there was the impetus to check on my next few Camino days. My knee is still sore so I am limited to around 15 km a day for a while.
The stop after tonight has no albergue - closed. And it’s a tourist town with expensive hotels - well expensive by Spanish standards. Before the knee injury I was very clear that I wouldn’t pay those prices and would walk the 28 km to the next accomodation. Well that wasn’t going to happen now.
I tried to call the cheapest hotel but couldn’t get through so had to go through booking.com. First there were no vacancies, then there were, then there weren’t. But I had learnt from my lovely daughter that you should keep trying as availability and even price can change depending on which links you use. Anyway turns out tonight is booked out but tomorrow- when I need the room - had a vacancy. Persistence pays.
So it turns out I am stopping where I was determined not to stop but got the cheapest hotel in town - which will still be excellent.
And I read it is a tourist town with many things to see. So I’m looking forward to exploring in the afternoon.

The fabric of the universe is an energy we call Love.
I was reminded of this teaching again the other day so I have been practicing seeing that everything is made of Love. Yesterday’s rain and wind was made of Love. Todays fog - Love. Being tired - Love. Sore knee - Love. This practice has made seemingly difficult things much more pleasant.
And the truth of this bore fruit when speaking to the German man this afternoon. He walked through the same wind and rain that I did but thought it was dreadful. I didn’t really mind so much - unless it rained and blew more on him than me - which is another possibility. 🫢

I have been reflecting on the spiritual elements of the Camino - what is it that makes it different from just another walk or hike. Hopefully I can report back soon.

Buen CaminoLäs mer