Walking today to the highest point of the Camino in O Cebreiri, which is code for a bitch of a walk up a steep grade. After doing this and being a veteran Pilgrim one gets to learn the various nuances of the hike: ” Oh no not another freaking hill.” That is Irish for you know what.
Our Camino guardian in Villa Franca
Jerry and I enroute.⁸
We left Villa Franca around 730am. Very dark. I was a tad anxious because of this notion that it was the highest point yet for the first 18 kilometers it was easy going. Very flat terrain on the side of a highway. We counted 17 bridges for the main motorway above us. It was very impressive, but boring. So I put on some tunes and sang along. Soon, I found myself alone!!!
The final kilometers were really hard. And that is what is interesting about this walk. Just when you think you have it made, a curve is thrown your way. In this case a kilometers walk uphill over the most treacherous terrain you have ever seen. Rocks, boulders, loose gravel and shale With a slate base. You do not want to fall. This over a very steep grade that slows one down to a crawl. Indeed some pilgrims had to crawl to the top. But no matter because pilgrims have to suffer and they can,t have fun and they cannot swear but today that last rule was broken many,many times. Forgive me lord.
Great Pic
This country is beautiful. We ended up 4 k short of our destination because we were exhausted and could go no further. O Cebreiro will have to wait until tomorrow. We bedded down at a monastery run by Germans but before we did Jerry and I and a few others imbibed a few beers and a pilgrim’s dinner at the local cantina.
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Great day if even a tough slog at the end.
Read ya later.
Man oh man how I love this country.
John the Pilgrim.
John you’re a pilgrim you’re supposed to do the whole thing on your knees!! Just kidding sweetheart you’ll need your knees in good shape for the cleaning you’ll have when you get home. Luv ya
Or other things to do. Lol
Sounds like rough going, hard to train for at Shannigan lake. Way to go John. The tales you will have to tell, sounds like a book?
Yes. It has been. No amount of training can prepare you for some of the terrain that you have to walk over. And hills hlls and more hills.
Sounds like a rough day but I know it was satisfying to get through it.
Yes it was. One thing I have learned is not to believe anything anyone says about the trail. They have always been wrong. Lol. Hope you are over the colonoscopy and you and Dot are having a good time.