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So our accomodation in Boente had a pool and people were soaking their feet in the pool. I thought about it but decided that if I soaked them they might start falling apart and I still need them together for at least two more days. There was an Irish woman who would have been early 30’s and she invited Ray over to sit with her and her partner he was from the UK but both of them live in Australia now. She was from a village in Ireland which is only about 18kms from Rays home town. So she joined the chorus of voices suggesting that Ray should come to Australia for a visit and possibly NZ as well. But Ray thinks what’s the point in going to NZ as it is ist the same as Ireland anyway. We ended up having dinner with them and it was really lovely to meet some new people and hear about their transition into life in Australia. Bryce and Rory were keen for more Red wine so ordered another bottle after dinner I decided after another glass of wine that it was time to go and get my stuff sorted and hit the sack for the night. Just as I was about to head up Bryce came back with another bottle of wine and I said good night and headed off. 

The hostel was very tidy solid wooden bunk beds and a good bathroom. The beds still creak every time you move. I will be pleased to see the back of bunk beds for some time at the end of this journey. I probably got to sleep at about 9:00pm and then woke at 4:00am which seems to be a bit of a regular thing at the moment. I lay in bed thinking about the future and praying for God’s guidance in the next steps for Yona and I. We got up at 5:30am and as a well oiled machine where out and ready to hit the road just before 6:00am. Thankfully it was fine and we gathered outside the front door of the hostel for my prayer before we headed off. I try to think about the day that has been and what lies ahead and include those things in my prayer for each day. And I always finish with in the name of The Father, Son and Hoy Spirit which the boys all like.

We headed off into the dark and it really was dark we negotiated our way out of the little town and then on to a main road. Pretty soon the way was taking us on a path away front the town and it was pitch black and heading down into a valley. Then it turned and twisted and climbed steeply as we cam up next to the main highway. One of the things which I have thought about with the Camino is that this path has been here sine the 9th Century. The path predominantly follows the contour of the land. We don’t do this any more , health and safety and ease of access dictate that we need to remove extreme drops, even out undulations in the land and find the easiest path. This is not what you experience on the Camino you just follow the path there has been some changes over the years but they have tried to keep it as faithful to the original path as possible. This means that you are walking up and down a lot as Spain is very hilly countryside. Sometimes the path is dirt, some times stones that are paved together, sometimes, Roman road, others on the regular roadside, and then at other times the path has largely been washed away and you are walking on shards of rock and climbing up and down to find your way. Hopefully this explains why it is really tough on your feet plus the larger distance that you walk. 

We made our way into Arzúa for a coffee this morning and decided to stop[ before all the masses of those only doing the last 100kms were up and moving. Once we had had a coffee and a bite to eat we headed off to make the most of an empty track. We were walking 28kms today and we were keen to get as much done as early as possible. We pushed on to O Pino – Suso for our next break coffees and some Spanish Omelette there was a large group of Argentinians where we stopped they were doing the last 100km on E-Mtb Bikes not so fun when they come racing up from behind expecting you and all the other pilgrims to get out of their way. I just about got hit by a French man on a bike before we stopped in Arzúa he came screaming down a big hill yelling for us to get out of the way i did just in time. Rory wanted to put his walking pole into his spokes to give him a wake up call. As a Cyclist I think those cycling are crazy to be trying to ride a track that is dodgy a lot of the time with thousands of pilgrims trying to walk it at the same time. 

We stopped one more time at a bar for a drink as it was getting hot and most of us had already used up our water. I think we still had about 8 kms to go at that point. It has been a strange feeling seeing the numbers falling on the markers as we get closer and closer to Santiago. It is a strange thought to think that tomorrow is going to be our last walking day to get to Santiago we have just 19kms to go tomorrow. We arrived at our Albergue at about 1:00pm and my feet were pretty sore, Rory hurt his quad a couple of days back and so I lent him one of my walking poles to help him, with the downhills. But thankfully he managed to find another one last night so that I had both of them again. But my feet are a bit tender again after a carrying my bag over the last few days. But it is one more day, I have decided that I am not going to try and walk to Fisterra on the coast as well. My feet just need a break, I can hear many of your breathing a sigh of relief at this point. Sorry for the foot saga but they have been terrible and caused me so much pain. 

When we arrived we sorted washing and all had showers and then headed up the road to a local restaurant for some food. We had some beef and pork cooked on a grill and also some octopus and some razor clams along with some croquets and a large mixed salad. It was a real feast. Rory and Bryce wanted to treat Ray and I very nice. We also arranged and booked some accomodation for Santiago. Bryce, Rory and I are all going to stay 2 nights in Santiago and Ray is only going to stay the one as he is going to walk to Fisterra, Bryce and I might catch up with him on the bus. But we will see how things go. After lunch we headed up to find the Supermarket which was at the other end of town and I purchased some pastries for the morning so that I can take my meds before we start walking. I couldn’t resist buying some lime and Lemon ice blocks a whole box as it was the cheapest way. Ray didn’t want one, Bryce had one and Rory was back at the hostel having a lie down. So I stopped some other pilgrims and asked if they spoke English. They were from Ohio in the States and I blessed them with the remaining ice blocks. They were like for free? And I said yes bless you guys it is hot and this will help cool you down!

Also a prayer request, I have been asking God to give me a word for Ray when we reach the Cathedral tomorrow, he was a bit freaked out when I told him today that I had been praying for him. He has a very simple Catholic Faith so I would love it if he knew Jesus is real and cares for him today. (Thanks)

Well that is me for the day I am going to go and have a rest for a while now. Thanks for all of the encouragement, support and prayers it is much appreciated. 

Nga mihi 

Mike