Don’t believe everything you read, in this case the weather forecast. Today we planned a shorter trek from Santa Marina to Ponte Oliveira, a hilly 12km and the forecast was to be dreadful, overcast with torrential rain for part of the morning.
We timed our departure to try and avoid the worst of the weather and stopped a couple of kilometers into the day for breakfast. We met some of our fellow pilgrims, one man had walked from Le Puy in France, his total trip will be getting up toward 2,000km. Yesterday we met a Spanish pilgrim who has walked the Via de la Plata from Cadiz in the South of Spain, some 1,107km every second year since 2013 (this year was his fourth time) We met a Belgian father and daughter. Dad is 78 and seems to be walking nicely on a steady intake of wine and schnapps, it is fun to watch their interaction and to see the roles reversed.
As we packed to leave our breakfast stop the sun came out the rain cleared and though a tad breezy we decided to take it as a positive sign and pack away the rain gear, take out the sun hat, glasses and screen. Our faith was rewarded and we had a stunning day walking in the most glorious countryside.
Second breakfast was in this beautiful Albergue cafe. Where we sat like two sunbathing cats inside their big picture window, with the sun on our backs and took out sweet time over our snacks. We chatted a bit with pilgrims as they came and went. Eventually when we had procrastinated long enough, we reluctantly packed up and left for the final push to Ponte Oliveira…these miles won’t walk themselves!!
Lovely photos…….I would love to do this xxx
So inspiring C ! xx
I am impressed with you Catherine, especially after what you endured last year. what beautiful scenery. enjoy and be safe. xox Kari
Thanks Kari, all going well this time.
Buen Camino! Catherine, so fun hearing about ever changing landscape
and interesting pilgrims along the way! Thanks for sharing!
Keep trekking…
Buen Camino! What fun to hear of your journey with all it’s encounters!
Beautiful countryside! Nita
….so enjoying your blog&camino adventures…reminded of home, you say….poem arrived in my inbox this afternoon & felt you’d appreciate! Hugs, Axxx
Forever
Sweet summers we stayed outdoors
until we could no longer tell
the trees from the dark between them
and the brigade of fireflies failed
in its quest to prolong the day.
There was a name for what stepped in
when time stopped in daylight’s
slow embrace of farewell,
kind reprieve to our outdoor games
until the moment night’s blanket covered
the last corner of earth’s cradle
and the blanket itself came alive
with singing: that name was forever.
We did not speak the name, but
our minds were filled with forever.
My friend and I once tried
to say to how long it had been
since the day we’d first met.
We strained, but the effort flooded
the beds of our minds. Origins
lay too dim in memory’s forest.
“Two years ago,” we murmured—
another name for forever.
– Max Reif
‘Home’ at the moment is lots of rain and grey skies, so you’re not missing anything! Loving your blog and very much wishing I could have joined you!
Next time Anne
Lovely blog. Keep on trekking. Makes me want to join you. Can’t wait to hear more details in person in September.