MeAndering the Camino

Anotjer night in a single room with own bath was really nice. its odd to me that as much as I do like the communal dinner, the bunks ate not my fave! I have had some good ones where everyone was in one bug room and all had same ideas of timing, noose abatement and getting up. Also had some not so much but biggest issue is where do you put your backpack so its close to you and accessible but not in someone else’s way. That all could be worked out easy by the hospitelier when positioning the beds!

Leaving today from Foncebadon, its a beautiful walk up a couple km to Cruce de ferro. A major marker on the camino. Cruce de ferro is essentially a 7 meter high wooden pole with an iron cross atop it. Pilgrims bring a rock from home, or pick one up one the way, and leave their wishes/prayers “in the rock” on a pile at the base of the cross. I had a rock I brought along but on the way up found one I thought resembled Georgia so I brought it as well. A couple friends asked me to remember them as I went along and in churches or special sites so this was perfect. It also marks the highest point on the walk at 1504m or 4970ft above sea level.

From this point the day was “mucho” downhill. The only reason to complain os the downhills are killing my left knee! Some lovely little villages and even some entrepreneurs with quite amazing set ups to provide snacks, drinks and a stopping point t for pilgrims.

My little albergue tonight is run but a Spanish/French Canadian couple in Ponferrada, Spain. Its bunks but they made them and only have a few in each room. The advantage of them being made is one can sit on the bottom bunk and not bang the head. They also don’t creak! Once I showered, did laundry and felt clean and human I ventured out to the old town. The Knights Templar built a fort/castle here to guard the pilgrims on their journey to Santiago. Later succession of counts and lords gave their funding and even moved in! The town was having a medieval festival but unfortunatelyI went sown during siesta time so not very many booths were open.

Not too much philosophical time today, between the “sweat bees” and flies swarming my head and the noisy groups of pilgrims passing by, I used most of my capacity to not turn an ankle or wrench my knew even more. I will say even with the rocks and slick paths of the off road paths, I prefer that to pounding the pavement next to a highway! Well, tomorrow starts the last half of my miles and my time away. 47,016 steps today- 20 miles.