Yesterday we left Logronia and walked 13 kms to Navarette....I thought i was going to die.....this was my worst day so far....I was physically and emotionally at the end of my rope.....I barelymade it to the alberque. I threw my stuff on the bottom bunk and collapsed. A Dutch lady came in after me and looked at me and said ...you are younger than me ..would you like the top bunk....I said WHAT!...I am sixty two....She said Oh! OK You are older ...I will go on top bunk....I said Yah! Goot!....For once I was glad for my years...no way would I have got on that top bunk. I slept solid for two hours before I did anything else. I had a great rest and a simple meal of cheese and ham and cup of soup for tea and a back in bed by 7.45.......Up again at 5.30 and on the road at 7 a.m. The hospitalero at the alberque made us all crepes and jam....very nice.
Now I am in Najero and walked 20 kms today. I feel on top of the world. It is a good lesson ro realize that everyday is so different...one day you feel like dying and the next climb mountains. We stopped at a bar on the way (always at the top of a hill) and enjoyed cafe con leche wiht ham bagel and pastrie. A hilarious Frenchman gave his wife a big kiss in the corner of the cafe and I shouted over Hey! what about me and he came running over with arms open wide and gave me a big hug and a kiss on each cheek. I was ready for my next mountain. The comeraderie here is fantastic....today I met a Lithuainian and yesterday a Latvian and an Irishman....such a mixed bunch!! I am still the only Aussie on the road.
A crowd of school kids joined us on the Camino route all shouting Bien Camino to us. the scenery today was outstanding....to much for my little camera to take in.....but it is imprinted in my memory forever.....
This is the region of La Reogia? famous for its wine...the locals say the best in the world.....did I mention the Fountain of Wine I passed earlier last week. A fountain with flowing wine and also water. A young Italina pilgrim filled his water flask with the wine....a got my mug out and had a small drink not wanting to fall asleep on the journey Ha Ha.
Todayd I was about fourth in the queue for the alberque so I have done very well today especially after yesterday. Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today a gift....today is now and I am learning to live in the moment.
I have extended my Camino by two weeks since I have not heard of any work to go back to in UK...I hope to make it to Leon and be able to walk the Meseta. It is proving to be quite inexpensive to live..the most I have paid for an alberque so far in 9 Euros....today is donation so I give 5 euros and maybe have a Pilgrim meal tonight for 9 Euros ...three course meal with bottle of vino tinto.....It is very pleasant here with lots of bars and restaurants along a fairly large river. Alberque is basic with 90 beds in one room. I have a guy above me and a huge Amercian guy next to me.....he is 160kgs!!! I will have my ear plugs in tonight for sure!!
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3 comments:
Jo, I know it is almost inexplicable why some days seem easy and some others seem incredibly hard. I had a really hard day getting into Los Arcos, though the weather was good- fine but not hot- and the views were gorgeous. But I realised later that I perhaps had not drunk enough over the past few days. And I think that might have been why I found it hard...
Again Jo? what's with all the kissing and drinking of red wine here? I see you're letting your short hair down, maybe.
Pleased to hear a good day follows those not so good days. I agree with your Kiwi friend dehydration is often the root cause of bad days. Are you also carrying small portions of nuts and dried fruits? Like small nibble bags in the pocket often helps when sailing or on the bike and the 'can't do it again' messages come from the brain.
god bless lass
j
Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today a gift....today is now and I am learning to live in the moment. So Inspiring.
So much humor, honesty and clarity of thought in all of your entries. You are living.
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