Day 30 - to Sarria

And again, thank you to my day and 5000 step sponsors and to all those who are supporting me on the Way.

Yesterday finished much better than it started. After lunch, I had time for a brief rest. When I awoke, I bumped into a NZ lass whom I have met a number of times along the Way. A friend of hers had just joined her for the last few days of the Camino. Having spoken to them, I went for a walk around town - which basically consisted of going to the market to buy 2 apples, a box of muesli bars, and an ice block. Returning from the market, I bumped into the Kiwis again - this time at the bar. I joined them for a refreshing beverage.

Not long after, it was time for Mass. The Mass was quite interesting. The priest seemed to walk to the beat of a different drum. It was all very interesting. The pilgrims' blessing, at the end of the Mass, never seemed to end. The priest had written an essay, of which he was very proud, and proceeded to read it for the next ten minutes (or at least it felt like that).

After Mass, I needed another refreshing beverage and joined a few pilgrims for a short while. The Kiwis returned and I had a most enjoyable meal with them. We talked and laughed and had a glass or two of house wine for the next couple of hours.

I slept very well during the night. At about 2am, I got up to go to the bathroom. When I opened the door to our large hostel room, I was immediately bombarded with the sound of a snorer coming from another room. I gave a quick prayer of thanksgiving that I was sleeping elsewhere.

I left the hostel at the very late hour of 7am. Today was going to be a very easy day - only 18kms and mostly flat. What I decided, during the walk, is that I am very, very bad at reading maps. I think, at the end of the day, that I read every map with rose coloured glasses. Far from being an easy day, the first several kilometres were all uphill. A week ago, it would have been easy. But, after the past couple of days, I found the going very hard.

Nevertheless, the walk was very beautiful. Most of it, up and down hill, was along narrow tree lined walk-ways or village paths. It was very pretty.

Around midday, I finally arrived in Sarria. I was delighted to see my hotel (private room, private bathroom , fluffy towles) and to see my friend Linda with whom I will walk for the next few days.  Lunch has, naturally, extended well into the afternoon - A brief rest beckons before the rest of the day unfolds.

God bless