I left Leon at 7.00am this morning and it was only by 9.00am that I left the urban area - although I did note that the Way meandered past all the important buildings to get out of Leon! It was all urban up to the next town of Virgen del Camino 7km away. Then the way splits - you can take the road route which follows the main road or the walkers route which is 7km longer but goes through country side. I decided to go the walkers route. For about 9km I was walking through countryside which has changed from the mesetas. It is no longer flat but rolling hills, and for the first time in weeks I walked through bush. Every single km in the mesetas is cultivated with wheat and other cereals. It was wonderful to untamed land - for a few kms. In Leon I bought another walking stick and so I have been practising today. I quickly got into the rhythm of walking with 2 sticks. There are mountains ahead and I have seen how 2 sticked have helped lots of walkers. I thought it prudent to get some help going downhill. Walking with 2 sticks has definitly taken some of the sting of the uphills, and it helps me as well goung downhill. So I am a convert. I have also learnt another strategy for coping with downhills - walking in a zigzag fashion. It seems to lessen the decline and makes it easier. Now you know what pilkgrims discuss in the evenings- walking sticks, the route, uphills, feet, blisters and aching legs!
Todays walk was 21km to Villar de Mazarife and I have settled into the San Antonio albergue I look forward to vegetarian paella for supper tonight. Yay.
Actually apart from that it is a small place - only 20 beds, not full, cosy and comfortable depite some new-agey decorations.
Tomorrow I face a 30km walk - not looking forward to that as 20 - 24 km is a comfortable walk for me.
Adios
Well done on the 2 Stick trick sounds like something I need to start using.
ReplyDeleteI see you have past the halfway stage and starting to move back up Spain towards Santiago.
With on this next leg.
Bruce & Celeste
HI Father Keith,
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading your blog, it is very interesting and the cities you have described sound amazing. I can't wait to see the pictures. Don't forget ones of the people you have met because us reading your blog are getting to "know" them too! I was wondering when you were going to mention what you reflected on whilst you were walking. I would love to hear more about that if you are willing to share your private thoughts. Do you ever get inspirational thoughts and ideas about the future or is your aim purely for reflective reasons and self-exploration per se. Is this walking experience and reflection meditative in any way? It sounds like a wonderful experience especially the comoraderie with the fellow pilgrims. The whole experience sounds archaic and yet here you are living up to the 21st century in every sense of the word with a blog. It reminds me of when I was in Egypt in the middle of the desert at the Pyramids of Giza and came across an internet cafe in an ancient,dilapidated little hut with up-to-date technology inside. It is bizarre, I'm sure you agree. One would not expect to find that in an "ancient civilization" setting. I felt it spoiled the experience but nevertheless that was Egypt and not Spain and I am glad you are technically connected so that we can live your experience with you. I'm looking forward to finding out how your 30km walk went. Well done!
Kind regards
Debi