Caminos – Page 66 – Linda Scandore

Botafumeiro ~ Day 79 ~ June 24, 2014

Day 79, June 24
13 miles, 980 miles
Altitude: 853 feet (1,213 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist, blue sky with clouds, overcast; 65-75F
Santiago

The swinging of the giant Botafumeiro was originally used to fumigate the sweaty and possibly disease-ridden pilgrims. The ritual requires half a dozen attendants, tiraboleiros, to preform it. Hence, it is not always included in the noon pilgrim’s mass. It was my good fortune not only to have it part of the service; but, also to be directed to sit within 15-feet of the swinging Botafumeiro’s arc.

Santiago! ~ Day 79 ~ June 24, 2014

Day 79, June 24
13 miles, 980 miles
Altitude: 853 feet (1,213 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist, blue sky with clouds, overcast; 65-75F
Santiago

Gleeful faces. We did it! Santiago, we arrived.

So, which are the bikers and which are the walkers?

Nothing Will Stop Them ~ Day 78 ~ June 22, 2014

Day 78, June 23
14 miles, 967 miles
Altitude: 951 feet (1,378 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist, blue sky with clouds, afternoon thunderstorms; 65-75F
O Pedrouzo

Nothing will stop them. The pilgrims will arrive in Santiago!

Say It with Flowers ~ Day 78 ~ June 22, 2014

Day 78, June 23
14 miles, 967 miles
Altitude: 951 feet (1,378 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist; blue sky with clouds, 65-75F
O Pedrouzo

Say it with flowers. Spain is in bloom.

Crossing to the Other Side ~ Day 77 ~ June 22, 2014

Day 77, June 22
16 miles, 953 miles
Altitude: 754 feet (1,670 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist; blue sky with clouds, 65-75F
Ribadiso

Crossing to the other side.

Ponte Velha Furelos, medieval bridge.

Through the Mist ~ Day 77 ~ June 22, 2014

Day 77, June 22
16 miles, 953 miles
Altitude: 754 feet (1,670 feet daily high)
Weather: morning mist; blue sky with clouds, 65-75F
Ribadiso

Through the mist into the clear day, steps continue.

Clouds Talk ~ Day 76 ~ June 21, 2014

Day 76, June 21
14 miles, 937 miles
Altitude: 1,148 feet (2,165 feet daily high)
Weather: hazy, blue sky with clouds, afternoon drizzle 60-75F
Palas de Rei

Clouds talk. They speak of coming rain.

100 KM ~ Day 75 ~ June 20, 2014

Day 75, June 20
14miles, 923 miles
Altitude: 1,148 feet (2,165 feet daily high)
Weather: hot, hazy, humid 60-78F
Portomarin

100 KM to Santiago!

The French brothers have become dear walking friends.

Avoiding Sun ~ Day 75 ~ June 20, 2014

Day 75, June 20
14miles, 923 miles
Altitude: 1,148 feet (2,165 feet daily high)
Weather: hot, hazy, humid 60-79F
Portomarin

Avoiding the sun with an early morning start offered unique beauty.

1:00 PM Curfew ~ Day 74 ~ June 19, 2014

Day 74, June 19
16 miles, 909 miles
Altitude: 1,444 feet (2,970 feet daily high)
Weather: sunny & streaky clouds 45-85F HOT
Sarria

A 1:00 PM curfew should exist for walking in mid-June. Beyond that time the sun is too intense. Even with a hat and sunglasses, the sun painfully penetrates my eyes. Albeit, being still in the shade is pleasant.

Having toured the monastary in the morning, the walked spilled into the afternoon. I didn’t arrive at the albergue until 4:00 PM.