I'M GETTING THE HANG OF IT

Before arriving is Spain I was constantly checking the weather report. For the three weeks before arriving it was pouring rain in Spain and snowing in the higher elevations. I was prepared with my rain gear and figured that at least in the beginning I would be walking in the rain. Since arriving the weather has been fantastic. Cold enough in the morning for a fleece, but by the end of the day you are down to a t-shirt. Not hot, but great walking weather. So, what is a typical day like, you ask? It goes something like this:

 

Out the door between 7:30 and 8:00 (This will be earlier if the weather gets hot)

Breakfast on the Camino usually consists of Cafe con Leche. Coffee with steamed milk, maybe a piece of fruit and toast with jam. Staying in hotels you might get juice and a croissant. Then start walking out of town and perhaps hooking up with some of your camino family. You just start walking following the yellow arrows. Most people carry a guide book to give you some idea of what to expect in the way of terrain and town. Usually after 2 to 3 hours of walking, a stop is made for Cafe con Leche and perhaps something to eat. A common staple along the camino is a bocadillo, a sandwich made with dry crusty bread, a thin slice of ham and cheese. Nothing else is on the sandwich, so it is very dry. Cafe and a bocadillo usually runs between 2 to 3 dollars. Every time you stop, its off with the boots and socks to inspect your feet for blisters and hot spots. Also to let them dry out and put on an dry pair of socks. Dry feet are the best defense against blisters. Then in the afternoon perhaps another stop for refreshment.

 

A days walk runs between 12 and 15 miles on average and is dependent on the terrain and the distance to your overnight stopping point. Towns are spaced along the camino at distances which affords you to stop for the night when needed. Most all of the towns have albergues and places to get something to eat.

 

 

 

April 13th

 

It's getting warmer which makes it more tiring to walk. The country side is beautiful and the hills are smaller, or is it just that it's getting easier to climb them. I started having some feet problems with a small blister on the bottom of one of my toes. This is not really an issue as I have drained it and it doesn't affect my walking. But having to walk in wet socks is a problem and I have developed the beginnings of a blister on the ball of my foot. When I arrived in Estella today and after a shower, the first stop was to the pharmacy. Here in Spain, the pharmacy is where one goes for medical advise. The pharmacist is able to provide you with the medicine you need if you are sick. I was given a plaster to cover my blister called Compeed, so we'll see how it goes. Tomorrows walk will be warmer and another 13.5 miles, but the up side is I pass the wine fountain. At the Irache Winery, there is a fountain with two spigots. One is water and the other is wine. Pilgrims are invited to partake. I will be passing the winery early in the days walk, but hay, it's free wine.

 

CROSSES MADE OF STICKS IN THE CHAIN LINK

 

 

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