Our Hostel in VillaFranca was really good, they were excellent hosts. They greeted us with a glass of water with Lemon in it. They had a fire going upstairs so that people could dry clothes, they were real sheets and pillow cases on the bed. The knew what they were doing it was a Mother and Daughter team. I made sure that I massaged my quad really well and had a bit of a rest in the afternoon. We decided to head out to find some dinner just after 6:00pm. We headed up to the town plaza and it was a hive of activity unlike some of the other places we had been. But the real surprise was an every other evening when we go out I have needed long pants, puffer and sweatshirt just to stay warm. But last night it was 27 degrees at 6:30pm and it seemed like it was still getting warmer. We went to the place that Rory and Bryce had been at earlier in the afternoon. We got some drinks and then ordered from the pilgrims menu. I had croquets stuffed with Goats Cheese and mushroom filling and they were really good. Then for the main I had battered Hake fish and chips. And for dessert some lemon Ice cream that was really good.
We headed back to the hostel and the lads decided to go for a bit of a wander I was feeling as though I needed to sort some stuff for the next day and then get and early night as we agreed at dinner with a 28km uphill day tomorrow we didn’t want to get started too late. So we agreed to wake at 5:30am and be on the road by 6:00am to try and void the worst part of the climb in the hottest part of the day. Which seems to be late afternoon or early evening. The beds were comfy and we all headed off to sleep, we had another room right next to us and there was a frosted glass window that was next to where I was sleeping. There was someone on their phone in there several times during the night which woke me up a few times. But overall I think I had a reasonable sleep. At about 5:20am the people in the room next door flicked on the light which lit up our room as well and started talking in Korean I think it was. So we decided to get up as well and get going.
We had been told by one of the two Hostel managers that there was a cafe just around the corner that opened at 6:00am so we decided to break wit tradition and get some fresh food to have with the medication before we headed off. We organised all of our stuff, put our shoes on and then headed outside just as we were about to go I realised i had left my poles inside the Albergue which was potentially a problem because the door only opens from the inside. Thankfully there was a cyclist inside sorting out his equipment and he opened the door when I knocked so I could go in and grab my poles. When I came out the lads asked me to say a prayer before we headed off. I did acknowledging the good accomodation and food, but all so our tired and sore bodies and the long day ahead. We headed off but didn’t have any luck finding the Cafe. Luckily I still had the bag of mini croissants from yesterday and while they were a little stale they still did the trick and Bryce had some leftover biscoff biscuits which I had given he the other day. We marched off out of town in the dark and bumped into Lia from Nelson and Fabiola from Transylvania. I gave them a big hug and then we all headed off out of town. The walk initially this morning was quite boring just walking next to a road on a track and also a river with a large Highway up above. We went for about 5 kms to we found a little cafe in a town and we all had coffee. I spoke some more with Lia and Fabbi and they were heading off early to avoid the heat as well. They got caught in it yesterday and didn’t arrive to their accomodation till about 7:00pm. We downed our coffees and got back on the road. We walked about another 3kms and thought about stopping for breakfast but decided to press on. After another 3kms we stopped at a bar Just past a large truck stop and had some more coffee and sandwiches for breakfast.
We decided after this that we would press on till the last little town before the serious climb started. There was already a bit of climbing before we got there so we were a little hot. We were all conscious of making sure that we kept our fluids up today and didn’t get dehydrated. We all had lots to drink and then headed off to the hill it started as a road which was pretty steep but didn’t seem that bad. Then he track veered off to the left and became mud and rock and was pretty gentle to begin with and then it suddenly went super steep and for a long time it was a real workout. Ray loves hills so he was striding ahead at the front. It went on for some time and we definitely all worked up a pretty good sweat. We stopped at the first town to catch our breath and have some water before heading off again. The next stage was as steep as the last but was in the sun this time so it was pretty tough going. But we pushed on and there was a farmer herding his cows towards us they had some pretty impressive horns. One of the other pilgrims was getting really freaked out and was getting nervous about the cows, I was using my poles to herd them away and the farmer was saying to the other pilgrim use your poles like I was. I don’t think he had much experience with cattle. We decided to stop for a drink at a bar that was about 100m further along. It was a well needed rest and after sitting for a while we were ready for the last 3kms or so up the hill in the heat. We arrived at about 2:00pm and the place that we are staying in is great two rooms and our own bathrooms. Bryce and I and Rory and Ray. The showers were great and the food that I have just for lunch which was great. Mixed Salad, roast Chicken and Chips and apparently Ice cream which I am still waiting on for dessert.
One of the things that I knew coming into the Camino was that I needed to make sure that I didn’t have too many expectations on how it would go for me. I wanted to carry my bag for the whole way, but with my blisters and my quad locking up the other day. I have had to accept that I couldn’t do this Camino on my own. I have walked every km thus far. But I have had to send my bag on for several days. So my reflection was, neither can we do our journey through life alone either. It is only Jesus who is able to carry our burdens for us. He’s the only one through his death and resurrection who is able to say bring all of those things which are dragging you down and leave them with me at the foot of the cross. Allow me to extend grace to you, forgiveness for all that you have done that falls short of my standards for us. There is nothing that we can do ourselves it is all about Jesus. It is about admitting that it is only Jesus who is able to change our life in this way.
We have walked 614.3kms today and have 152.2kms to go.
Anyway that is me for today!
Nga mihi
Mike
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