Stormy Weather

today the rain came as only it can in Galicia and found me poorly equiped to cope,I had plans to make Pedrozo but fell 3km short and now stay in Santa Irena a place with no food and no kitchen but hot showers and very hot heaters ideal to dry all my gear, I made the mistake of hand washing most of my stuff back in Ribadiso do Baixo and it didn,t dry so poorly equiped I faced the day and what a day it was-I was soaked to the bone and on my last legs my fingers did not work and I was questioning the meaning of it all if not life itself,the bar I now sit in I passed 1km before the albergue too wet and cold to stop- the only way to keep warm was to keep walking,now I sit here well feed Germans and Dutch to the left of me and Lee from Korea to my right,a great bar great food (10euro,s) plus when you eat on your own a full botle of wine to yourself-today I have gone from the depths of dispair to one well fed happy pilgrim-only on the Camino.
 now I sit 22km short of Santiago and a promised party to finish off this 1000km walk.Still have not worked out what to do for the last 10days of my trip-I will let the weather and my purse decide

Palas de Rei

3 good days short of Santiago,the way has been good with just a little rain,I find myself getting there with a week to spare,what to do with that week is giving me a few problems making a choice is difficult when all you do is walk-I may catch a bus back one week on the via de la plata or go to porto or somewhere near and walk up from through Portugal or walk to Finnisterra I will decide later or the Camino will decide for me.
 This time of year the Camino is not so crowded and even the extra pilgrims that have started in Sarria are causing me no problems I am so chilled,but for Sandy my Yorkshire walking companion it is too much and she goes ahead catching the odd bus,plus her feet are still giving her problems.
 I am feeling a little tired,this will be the 5th month I have walked this year-a bit much I think but when ever I sit and reflect I don,t regret anything its been a great year where else would you want to be?.but maybe next year something a little less tiring I think "I will comb my hair or maybe eat a peach and wear white flannel trousers and walk along a beach.

Welcome to the Camino Frances

Walking slowly from Astorga,now 21km short of Ponferrada,my walking companion Sandy also from Yorkshire has a bad foot and is taking it slowly-an ideal situation for both of us,its good to slow down and take in the sights and a vista I will never tire of.

already met so many people, it feels good to be back on the madhouse.

PICS from the end

PICS from the start