Tradition has pilgrims walking three days west of Santiago to Finisterre, land’s end. We were unorthodox and took Sophie’s convertible. Top down of course.
Returning to Inglesia de San Juan was a special moment for Solphie as the crucifixion depicts Jesus with one hand reaching Heaven and the other hand reaching Earth.
Solphie and I begin our walk. (Sophie requests not to be photographed.) Our choice for today’s distance is 16 beds available in 18 miles. If we go slowly and enjoy the day with a picnic lunch, we will loose out on a bed and have to walk 4 more miles. I don’t like the arrangement; but, there is no choice. We walk fast with no breaks. I’m anxious and my feet rebel. Tomorrow’s is a more generous day with more beds.
Cathedral de Oviedo. Monument and artifacts of the city.
Reunion with Sophie whom I met two years ago walking Camino Arles. She will join me on Camino Primitivo to Santiago. (FYI Sophie wishes not to be photographed.)
Double whammy.
Only one bar in town and it’s Monday, the typical closing day for Spanish shops.
No food to be had at any price. Sophie, Diego, and I empty our food bag of emergency stash. The combination is a Pilgrim’s feast.
The town’s Albergue lets us complementary use their facility.
Where the grits?
Diego. That makes two Americans on the Arles Camino. He has joined Sophie and I walking.
We’ve got all the bases covered…Spanish, French, and English.
I walk in the good company of a French woman, Sophie. She says, “Pilgrims must prepare their feet each morning like dancers.” How true as I continue to wrap my feet in athletic tape.
Sangüesa is filled with music. A dozen people sat at an outdoor café singing in perfect harmony to the guitar melody.
After hours of winding in-and-out of the woods between the river and the road, the final 4km of today’s walk climbed high up a narrow path in the heat of the afternoon. I was drenched with sweat. I arrived at the Gîte to be welcomed by the volunteer host with the coldest slice of watermelon!
Linda Scandore 