MeAndering the Camino

Awoke this morning about 5:00am to a strange noise. Turned out to be a pouring rain and thunder! Decided to wait for the alarm at 6:10 and then see how things were. Not much better! I had arranged for my backpack to be shipped on so decided to take time to get ready and out. The albergue had coffee/tea made in morning and for 4 euros had delivered a bagged breakfast during the night. I had some coffee, ate some of the bag breakfast and packed the rest along with me. The take along breakfasts are usually whole fruit, a sandwich, muffin or snack cake and a drink. Today was a yogurt drink which I drank instead of carrying! As I left, the rain had stopped. Still sprinkled a few times but the walk was cool and less dusty.

The route followed the river Valvarce most of the way. For much of the day, we walked on the old national road which is much less trafficked thanks to the A6 motorway which often towered overhead. Looking at the overpasses balancing on pylons 75-100 ft high, makes me wonder and marvel at the engineering feat they are.

The small hamlets were all open and happily served pilgrims thrilled to be dry and in cool conditions. Along the river sides were pastures of cattle relaxing in the sun. At one point, I enjoyed watching, and then for a bit, being followed by a small herd of sheep being corralled by a beautiful border collie. Its so amazing to watch the dogs “work” and lead the sheep! I had a good laugh when the dog plopped down in a puddle and had a big drink while laying in the water.

Leaving Villafranca this morning we are now under 200 km to the end. Since I had the back pack sent on to my next albergue, I had to stop when I got to Las Herrerias even though it was only 12:00pm. I decided this the other night when my knee had been really bothering me and the next main stopping town was O Cebreiro which, despite being only about 8km away (about 2 hours for me on average), is an elevation change from Las Herrerias to O Cebreiro of 670m (about 2000ft!) Thats almost like the first day out of St Jean but at the end of day when we have already walked 20km. So I have that to look forward to tomorrow morning! Hopefully it will be dry!