My Camino

The final day.  I decided to start out early and on my own today so that I would have more time in Santiago.  I left the hotel at 5:30 AM and walked into Padron to find the path.  It was very dark, but I had a plan and my iphone flashlight.  I had done a bit of research last night and found a cafe about 2 miles up the path that opened at 6AM so my plan was to walk to the cafe and then wait for a few other pilgrims to show up so that I wouldn't be totally on my own.  This worked perfectly.  I was the second patron in the cafe, but soon a bunch of workmen arrived for their pre-work beers and then some pilgrims filtered in.  Wine and beer are as cheap as bottled water in Portugal and Spain and are basically treated like water and drunk at every meal.  No judgment here, just observing.  I got back out on the trail and walked for 2.5 hours in the dark by fields and streams and houses.  The sky was crystal clear and all of the stars were out....

 Only 26 km left to go tomorrow before I reach Santiago.  This morning there was a parade of pilgrims leaving Caldas De Reis in the AM and I'm sure the numbers will be even higher tomorrow.  Today's path was clear and easy terrain and should have felt better than it did.  Both Jan (from New Zealand) and I were sore by the time we hit town. The way was beautiful as always with lots of surprises on the way. Morning mist Professor Jan from New Zealand (she's 71 and can outpace me) Pretty calico! San Miguel De Valga - lots of dead people in cubbies. Cool garden with gourds Padron A bagpiper As you may be sensing, I'm running a little lower on energy now that I've been at this awhile.  I think there will be quite a bit of adrenaline running tomorrow as the crowds approach Santiago De Compostela which will help.  I plan on getting a very early start as this will be a longer day with lots of elevation to tackle.  I've been joking with friends I've met that wh...