Well the good news is that I was able to purchase some of the iodine based wash to sterilise the needle and thread and I successfully managed to thread the blister on my right foot again so that it would stop filling with fluid. I was able to purchase tissues as well so I could put the iodine in the tissue and draw the needle and thread through the solution. (Thanks Blue for those helpful hints) the other bonus several posts refer to a really helpful balm for blisters made from beeswax and olive oil. I had a tiny tin of balm that I brought with me from NZ made from Beewax and oil and some other goodies. So I have been spreading it on the blisters and I think it has really made a difference.
The hostel in NÁJERA was run by a lovely Columbian couple he looked a bit sinister when we first arrived, but they were lovely. Dinner was at 7:00pm which just about always seems to be the time. It was salad to start with which was really nice not too much dressing and it had olives, off to a good start red wine and water to drink the main was chicken breast cooked in red capsicum and tomatoes onion and spices along with the potatoes and rice. It was very nice and followed by a bought caramel custard which was also good. After dinner we sat around chatting at the table for quite some time with Clara an English later, Ciaran who is Irish, Dave from Germany, Bryce from Aussie and me from NZ. It was truly an international affair. After awhile I decided that it was time to get some sleep so headed of to get ready for bed. The evening routine is to make sure that you have everything organised for the morning so that you get up and hit the road. This takes some time to organise everything for the morning. I have also sent my bag for the last couple of days as I have been unable to carry it with the blisters on my feet.
I would like to say that I had a really good sleep but I had a rubbish one. I woke multiple times, but at 2:30am I was unable to get back to sleep. So it has been a very long day. The mattress on the bed was too thin and so you could feel the bar through it but also my hips were really sore. More stretching and using the roller later on for tonight. But anyway I got out of bed at 5:30 and started to get ready and go to the loo etc… We were out the door and on the road by just after 6:00am. We walked about 5 kms out of town largely in the dark to Azofra where we got a coffee and a chocolate Pastry. Then we got on the road again Cirueña where we had some more food and another coffee. This was another 10km along the way. Then we walked another 6km to Santo Domingo de la Calzada the home of the Cathedral that has chickens in it. You can read about it here and how it all came about. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_de_la_Calzada
After visiting the Cathedral we headed to our destination for tonight which is Grañón another 7kms. It has been a fairly tough walk today, my feet stung intensely for the first hour or so and then it started to go numb. Then it started raining on us and it was only 7degrees Celsius it was a frosty wind all day and rained on and off as well. We could even see some fresh snow in the hills as well walked this afternoon. Ray has also developed some blisters on his toes and this is cramping his style so it was pretty slow going for at least half of the day. But we made it and the hostel is really comfortable, not a lot in the town, but the hostel is good and dinner is at 7:30pm just to mix it up and it is a donation for everything here, including dinner.
When I checked my feet they actually look better I was worried that an infection may have been developing. But the good news is they are not hot or really sensitive and they feel and look better, but you can decide that for yourself. I am enjoying the scenery and walking with Bryce and Ray we are a funny Crew Ray is 23, just finished a health science degree in Ireland. Bryce is 62 and is the equivalent of a judge in New South Wales version of the Employment Tribunal. Ray is Catholic not really going to Mass at the moment, Bryce is Greek Orthodox and I am a Baptist minister. There are moments when we chat a lot and then times we walk in silence together. It really is a mental game to just keep pushing through. As of this afternoon we have walked 217.2km and 549.3 to go to reach the Cathedral in Santiago. I am going to finish this post here as I have some other things to sort. Blessings from me. Oh and if you are the praying type pray for our feet and good sleep.
Thanks
Mike
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