Sun 18 Sep - Good night at Ventosa. The local restaurant (there was only 1) wanted 15 euros for the pilgrims meal so we decided to cook ourselves! There are 4 of us walking together at the moment - me, Ian, Martina (Italian) and Kersten (Denmark) - so the Englishman (me) cooked the pasta and the Italian did the salad!!! Kerstan supplied the beer and Ian did the washing up - yes Diana it is true and I have the photos. Talking of photos I will try to upload what we have so far and put a link on this site, but it will have to wait until I have a good internet connection.
Today was SOP. However, the way of the pilgrim is definitely getting to Ian as he has started to point out all the different flowers to everyone. Must be something happening to us all as we are going to mass tonight!!!!! But I am only going to listen to the choir........ No Ian is not going........ Evidently, as one of the other pilgrims told us, it is traditional to put a stone in your shoe for at least the last day´s hike to Santiago so that you suffer - so we told the lady that we will drink heavily on the night before the walk to Santiago and walk with a hangover.........
Arrived at Santo Domingo de Calzada at 1330 after at 33 km walk in cloudy conditions which was good. Luckly, all of the ehavy rain showers passed us by. Off to Beldoro tomorrow.
Glad to hear you have recovered.
ReplyDeleteOut of interest:
What are the range of reasons that the other walkers give for going on a pilgrimage? Notwithstanding physical challenge, we get that, but why walk a 500m pilgrimage?
What is the ground like under foot, I doubt it is pavement all of the way?
Is the route clearly marked or do you need to break out a compass once in a while?
What are the arrangements for 'potty' stops, are 300 pilgrims taking a number two in the hedge?
In light of recent transmitted infections, what arrangements are made for personal hygiene after open air 'potty' stops? Anyone using antibacterial hand wipes?
So, who has come up with the most irritating walking song, or is just rousing choruses of 'Yes, Jesus loves me'?
ReplyDeleteRe Mike S questions
ReplyDeleteAs for reasons, most people I talk to are doing it for the walk. I have not had any intimate conversations with anyone doing it as a real pilgrimage.
The ground varies from tarmac to packed earth with just about everything in between.
The route is very well marked as you can tell from our moon light walks although you do have to be careful at times. Most ways are marked with the Camino symbol which is a scallop shell or a simple yellow arrow.
No need for potty stops as such as their are plenty of correct places on the way.