Lousy Internet

Sorry for the lack of updates.  We've had some problems with Internet access. 

Maccas de Ferro?

Beautiful isn't?

It would be so much easier in car!

The God Shower 

Last time Andrew & I stayed here. I had such great memories of the hotel that we chose to stay again. Fantastic shower and really nice rooms. 

152 km to go. Yay!

I know how this poor bugger feels. 

Generally the weather has been very kind to us. I've even walked a few days in shorts. 

Leaving Sarria

More pilgrims (47%) start in Sarria than any other city. You need to walk at least 100km to get your certificate and Sarria is about 115km. 

Swollen right leg. 

This is the leg I had the thrombus in and I assume it is related. 

I've since bought some highly fashionable TED stockings. 

I was hoping for fishnet stockings!

Although not easy, the walking is slightly less painful now. 

Cruz de Ferro

Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage that I lay at the foot of the cross of the Saviour, one day weigh the balance in favour of my good deeds when the deeds of my life are judged. Let it be so.

Traditional pilgrim’s prayer at Cruz de Ferro

Today we walked up to Cruz de Ferro, as compared to when Andrew and I did it the weather was considerably kinder. Rain at the start of the day but dry from about 9:30. 

Placing two stones at the foot of the cross. 

The theology of this is totally wrong from my reformed position but nevertheless I think that symbolically leaving a stone behind can have great personal value. 

At the foot of the cross. 

Return to Form?

Today we recommenced walking after our break. Coped quite well we had a couple of long breaks during the walk which helped a bit. 

Penny found a new friend. 

I suppose that would be hard to do with screw caps!

Look at the size of the bird's nest!

The end in sight. 

Where we came from, big climb today. 

Our home for the night. It's got a hippie vibe this albergue 

Rest Days

So we had three nights in Leon and then caught the bus to Astorga. 

Effectively we skipped four stages and rested three days. 

Tomorrow we start walking again. 

We have 11 more walking days (about 260km) and should arrive in Santiago on Christmas Eve. 

My leg has lost its swelling but now Penny has hurt her back, hopefully it will be right by the morning. 

Just before another authentic Spanish kebab meal. 

Staying in the same albergue where we met Richard two years ago. We had met Gordon a couple of days earlier I think. 

We've changed the walking schedule so we will have three 25 km days (approximately) rather than 20/25/30. 

Thrombus O'Clock

So it turns out that I need to take 2-3 days rest. 

Swelling and bruising. 

I noticed a swelling at on the right anterior medial aspect of my leg. After messaging Richard he suggested I should go to a doctor/hospital. 

We went to the next town and then caught a taxi back to Sahagun (11 km walking wasted). 

The doctor at the medical centre said I have a thrombus in my leg and should not walk for 2-3 days.

She also thought the leg was slightly oedematous. 

I'm now on low dose aspirin and amoxicillin as well. 

So catching train to Leon where we have a hotel booked for three nights. 

Trains are faster than walking. 

Penny is now busy calculating how to make up lost time. We will have two rest days for sure in Leon and then probably start walking again. 

Moratinos or bust!

After yesterday's very easy day we had a longer 30km day today. 

373,870 km to go!

(In Spain they use commas as the decimal seperator). 

We walked 17km before the first town. I was ready to quit but an hour later after a ham sandwich, two fantas and a hot chocolate we were able to walk the next 13 km. 

Solar, dairy and turkey farm. 

I wish we had sun & wind in Australia. There are wind turbines everywhere much more than two years ago. A really good sign I think but at least in Australia we have coal. 

Penny is celebrating because she is now a real pilgrim too!

That's not a blister!

My blister was about the size of West Australia compared to that!!!!!

Coming in to Moratinos we passed through Hobbiton!

Penny's coping. 

Me, not so much!

Finally we arrived in Moratinos and stayed at the Italian albergue where Andrew and I stayed two years ago. 

I love this clock!

¡Que va a ser una noche muy fría!

If google translate is correct that reads as It's going to be a very cold night. 

The walk today continued in fine weather but overcast and quite cold. 

We were aiming for the Albergue in Fromista but they were all closed. We walked another 3.4 km to Poblacion where we are being housed in the old school building (with no heating). 

Fortunately after our poor meals yesterday we were able to have a nice brunch and will be having a pilgrim meal tonight. 

A yummy breakfast. 

The hill to climb. 

At the top. 

And then back down again. 

Brunch. Penny had a ham omelette. 

Most of today was like this. Gravel tracks. 

Did I mention it was cold?

The Albergue ran out of hot water so I had to have a cold shower. 

One blessing is that tomorrow we have a small day of only 16km. 

Tonight we are having dinner with Juan Komatsu from Japan. He walked 40km yesterday from Burgos and met us at last night's albergue. 

Like us he will have an easy day tomorrow and only walk the 16km. 

Tomorrow we will be walking in rain again :(