Day 81, June 26
21 miles, 1,015 miles
Altitude: 656 feet (1,640 feet daily high)
Weather: overcast, misty rain; 65-70F
Olveiroa
The morning had been cool with an overcast making it an ideal day for walking. After 12 miles, the decision had to be made to stop or walk 9 more miles as there were no accommodations between the two points.
The voice said , “Go for it.”
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?
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!
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.
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.
Day 73, June 18
20 miles, 893 miles
Altitude: 2,230 feet ( 4,380 feet daily high)
Weather: sunny 45-85F
Tricastela
Sunrise set-off. So fine.
Walking does get easier.
The legionary pilgrim couple from Japan. She is 79 and he 85 years old. The albergues are filled with their nightly cooking fragrances.
Inspirational.
Day 72, June 17
6 miles, 873 miles
Altitude: 2 feet (3,051 feet daily high) 1300 meters climbing 800 meters in 6 miles
Weather: sunny 45-85F
O Cebreiro
I had my earliest start at 6:00 AM with faint light. The weather was crisp and clear. I started out in a wool cap, windbreaker, gloves, nylon mittens, and shorts. The walk was a 4 km warm-up, 4 km gain in altitude, break for Cafe con Leche, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a huge piece of pound cake for 4€, than the final 4km steep climb to the top. Breaks were easy as there were so many breathing views. I got to the top in my infamous white shirt well before the Spanish sun got intense and joined the cue for the Municipal Albergue charging 6€ for a dorm bed. A splendid day. O Cebreiro has the charm and setting of a Swiss alpine village.
Backpacks form a waiting line until the Albergue opens for pilgrims.
.
Day 69, June 14
16 miles, 834 miles
Altitude: 2,690 feet (4,940 feet highest point on journey)
Weather: sunny 55-85F hot
Molinaseca
Having carried a heart shaped rock from Virginia, I duly left it at the highest point on the Camino, La Cruz de Ferro, altitude 4,490 feet.
Plunging down 2,200 feet, the mid-day heat feels like summer in Prescott, Arizona. The temperature isn’t so high. It’s the intense of the sun that makes it uncomfortable and makes siesta inviting.
A Frenchman commented my appearance was so fresh. I simply smiled without divulging a three day rest at the Monistery.
Day 65, June 10
14 miles, 818 miles
Altitude: 3,770 feet (3,770 feet daily high)
Weather: sun with clouds 55-70F
Rabanal
St. James Confraturnity in London has been my resource for the Camino for the past three years. They host the extremely comfortable and welcoming Albergue Gaucelmo.
Day 62, June 7
12 miles, 771 miles
Altitude: 2,690 feet (2,2920 feet daily high)
Weather: light rain, sun with clouds 55-70F
Leon
Street in Leon.
Pentecost Vespers with Benedictine nuns at Santa Maria de Carbajal Convent.
Dane’s Concert.
Tapas and two bottles of vino tinto with friends before our 10:30 curfew at the convent. (Matrimony room for two for married couples, male and female dorms for singles…oh to be married if just for the night).
Linda Scandore 