Linda

Coffee, Tea, or Me ~ Day 11 ~ April 17, 2014

Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt

The community oven in l’Estrade has been turned into hospitality shelter offering coffee, tea, or orange juice for pilgrims. Our coffee was interrupted by two farmers driving cows down the hamlet lane.

The Camino provides. The web of connections expands. Having gotten rid of my “heavy” coins, “Pilgrim Corsica” donated a euro for me. Having muscle pain, I pulled out a couple of Advil from my pack and handed them to him. In turn, “Pilgrim Corsica” having met a pilgrim with knee issues shares one Advil with him.

Neptunes’ Muse ~ Day 11 ~ April 17, 2014

Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt

The sound of a stream is heard before seeing it. As if an infinant bow is drawn across a violin, the rushing sound of water fills the air. Once reaching the bank of the stream, I joined other pilgrims enjoying a reprieve from their backpack and shoes. Icy water slowly numbs the weary feet.

Neptune’s Muse I have met several times. Tall and svelte, she moves with the grace of a dancer. Surely this Barthelona beauty would have captured Neptune’s heart.

Taking Care of Business ~ Day 10 ~ April 16, 2014

Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac

With deliberation three times a day I stop to tend to my feet. As Benjimin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Feet are checked for any hint of irritation and are “aired.” Socks are rotated and placed in opposite feet.

Just Because ~ Day 10 ~ April 16, 2014

Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac

Just because they are so pretty. Spring in France.

20,000 Feet ~ Day 10 ~ April 16, 2014

Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac

10,000 pilgrims (20,000 feet) walked Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle in 2008. So, if you find yourself trotting someplace without footprints chances are you are off course. Such was my case for five minutes today before I righted my route.

I walked through patches of melting snow and rivets of water with ice crystals before the 1,500 feet decent.

Dong-Dong ~ Day 9 ~ April 15, 2014

Day 9, April 15
0 miles, 74 miles total, REST DAY #1
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 35-56F
Nasbinals

Most church bells ring ding-dong before striking the hour. In this region of France the clocks strike the hour, pause, and strike the hour once more.

Spinning Connections ~ Day 9 ~ April 15, 2014

Day 9, April 15
0 miles, 74 miles total, REST DAY #1
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Nasbinals

Like the threads of a spider’s web, people on the Camino are connected. I met French Christine and Mimi on Day 3. After walking together, I pulled ahead at a quicker pace. Ten minutes later, I missed a turn and became frightened. I actually yelled, “Mimi” in hopes of being heard. Alas, I backtracked and with great relief found them. For the rest of the day I would walk ahead only as far as I could keep them in eye sight. Christine and Mimi became my security blankets allowing me to become more confident. A thread in the web.

Having arrived at Nasbinals I sat outside a cafe with an expresso when along comes a Frenchman who asks if I was the American lady walking the Camino. The French women had spoke of me. A thread in the web.

Kismet! The French ladies arrive with Christine distressed from a backpack with a broken back brace and blisters on her feet. I help administer to her blisters and offer a temporary repair to her backpack. Most of all, I offer her friendship. We will meet in three more days. A threat in the web.

They say the Camino provides…the web grows.

Snow ~ Day 8 ~ April 14, 2014

Day 8, April 14
13 miles, 74 miles total
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Nasbinals

Two days ago I could touch snow with the tip of my walking pole. Albeit, the snow was no more more than a patch and I was comfortably dressed in shorts.

Today I saw snow on the mountain tops.

Can’t Judge a Book By its Cover ~ Day 7 ~ April 14, 2014

Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday
14 miles, 61 miles total
Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 65F
Lasbros

You can’t judge the beauty of a church by its outside. Chapelle de Bastide in Lasbros is the size of my living room; yet, it leaves one wondering how so much beauty is inside.

Ribbons in the Wind ~ Day 7 ~ April 13, 2014

Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday

14 miles, 61 miles total

Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Lasbros

Random ribbons with written messages of encouragement have been hung in trees. From a distance, they are seen twisting like kites in the breeze. Having read the message-ribbon, I took its advise and took a break. Socks and boots off resting my feet in the cool grass and eating a pear having already ate a mini Paris Brest (eclair like pastry) earlier in day. Pilgrimages do burn calories.