Ken Morgan

we took a couple of extra days in Arzua to plan some of our time in Spain and to meet up with our new friends Tony and Lisa

since we have family meeting us, we thought it might be advantageous to outline some of the other things we’d like to do in Spain and send off some communications to those that are meeting this year to offer some options and begin the planning process; advantageous to get this done before we complete the Camino and start the next step of our Spanish adventure.

The days off provided a great opportunity to collect their thoughts and to do something which we promised each other we wouldn’t do until we approach the final days of the Camino – discuss the personal impact this trip on the Camino has had on us and what the Pilgrimage meant to us personally and as partners in life. Perhaps we will share some of those thoughts on a future post.

6 NOVEMBER 

I think it was our fifth straight day of rain and we began hitting more big towns, industrial areas, less history in architecture.

7 NOVEMBER- OUR LAST DAY ON THE CAMINO

Today we finished one of the toughest challenges I have ever faced.

When we decided to walk the Camino de Santiago, we knew it would be a challenge, but it was that and more. Just under 500 miles of official pilgrimage plus the side trips to take pictures of historic sites, architecture, shrines, etc. Challenge doesn’t accurately describe the endeavor.

Having completed it we have been told that  some people have asked how do you verify that you’ve actually walked the route.

Although I kind of find it insulting that it would be asked there actually is a process.

Each stage of the Camino has specific places that have Camino authorize stamps. You get a “passport“ prior to starting the Camino and then as you go through each town, you get stamps on the passport showing that you’ve been there.

Upon arriving in Santiago, you have to go to the official office and present your passport. They then review it, sign off on it and authorize the issuance of your certificate.

They actually provide two certificates. One is in the original Latin and the other is in Spanish.

The one with our  names and in English shows the official total 779 km or 484 miles it was easily another 40 miles or so of visiting the churches, etc.

Below are copies of what we received from the Pilgrims office today; one challenge behind us and we’re already planning what’s next

There will probably be some follow up posts over the next few days and we will check back to the blog to answer any questions that followers might have

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

the graphic shows one of my least favorite hiking profiles. I prefer the days that end with an easy downhill, As you can see this one starts with an easy downhill and ends with a steep uphill. And it was very steep and very long not the way we would have preferred to end one of our longest days on the Camino, and one that took us almost into full nightfall!

Although long and arduous the day took us past the 60 km marker and the 40 km marker bringing us down to our last two days on the Camino and another great evening of dinner in conversation with Tony and Lisa.

One of the nice things about having extremely flexible schedule has Ben, the ability to stop and smell the roses, spend time where we wanted and not feel as though we were obligated to get through any portion of the Camino on a strict timeframe. This being the case.we opted to stay a couple of days to try to wait out the rain and enjoy the wonderful accommodations at the 1930 hotel and the  gracious residence of Arzua.

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

 

as you can see by the graphic the start of this day was not something we were looking forward to! It is a LONG, grueling, uphill slog.

Rain most of the day, but it did start to clear up finally towards the end of the day, and we enjoyed to stop at the visitor center where the staff was friendly, as his representative of most of the tourist service personnel that we run into on our journey.
The center was adorned with original artwork from local artists and offered multiple free refreshments for those on the pilgrimage

The highlight of the day and perhaps one of the major highlights of our entire experience on the Camino was meeting Tony and Lisa.

A wonderful couple from New Mexico with him we got along famously literally from the first hello! We spent quite a bit of time with them and enjoyed every moment of it and agreed to meet again when we got to Arzúa! Just another example of a spontaneous joy to be found in the midst of the hard rain, the hard hike and the very, very long days.

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

15.2 miles in hard and sometimes heavy rain. Finishing up with one of the toughest rock crawls we’ve been forced to do, but well worth it brought to within 100 km of our goal!

Today’s journey consisted of only 11.9 miles, all of which were completed in the rain. The conditions were cold, windy, and wet, causing our waterproof rain suits to become saturated. In addition, we encountered one of the most uninviting towns we have seen throughout our entire trip!

but on the good side we are down to our last hundred kilometers! Roughly 70 miles to go.
Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

Just take a guess what we have almost all day today?
Yep, into our “Frogg Togg’s” with several layers of insulating clothing underneath comma gloves, ski cap, and everything else warm we could find as we had it off for a day of 14 miles so foggy, you couldn’t even see the beautiful scenery.

Stopped for lunch and I was adopted by a Friendly dog, who just wanted to snuggle and beg for food; Brenda said it reminded her of me

as the hiking day came to a close, we finally got some break in the weather and later had the opportunity to meet up again with Michael and Angela 🙂

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

from the elevation, you can see why this was one of our “shorter days we decided that yesterday we would end our hike at las Herrerias So we can start today at the bottom of the hill and make this mountain our challenge for just one day. TNo one we met today. Thought this was a mild, easy, moderate or anything less than challenging hike.

The good news is this hike also offered some beautiful scenery, some great weather and the opportunity to meet some new friends.

The day started with our Most unique breakfast consisting exclusively of crusty bread, avocado, A slice of tomato a little olive oil and some sesame seed. Yes I guess it was just avocado toast, but it was probably the best I’ve ever had.

as we began our hike, we realize that some folks had found what we assumed to be a much easier way to take this trail. They hired a couple of horses and a guide, and if they went on horseback.

As for Brenda and myself, it was another day of steep Hills and rough roads!

Probably the saving grace of the day was the chance meeting of Michael and Angela. A lovely couple from Canada who are hiking and motorcycling around the world.

Starting with a simple conversation, like most Camino conversations, where did you start? What motivated you? Etc. we found that there were many things that we had in common.

 

starting with a simple conversation, like most Camino conversations, where did you start? What motivated you? Etc. we found that there were many things that we had in common.

Much like us, they support a charitable foundation which they started, and which provides needed items, on a small scale, to orphanages throughout central and South America, primarily but essentially any place that they visit where they see in need.

from hiking to scuba diving to foreign travel and more, we found commonality with this couple, and I committed this day in contact and share and explore future adventures.
Buen camino

Brenda and Ken

We know that there is beautiful countryside and beautiful scenery in every country and lovely little towns almost anywhere you go. But it’s hard not to be taken by some of the breathtaking hills and valleys, the friendly, beautiful small towns and the quiet scenery that we’ve been blessed with on this part of the journey

up and down the hills today, convinced me that toe socks were in order so I took a break and changed my socks to ease my weary feet!

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

as we walk the trail, we once again heard shots from the side of the road! This raised our diligence in our sense of concern as we continued to walk we saw three men with shotguns shoulder and dogs running past them into the vineyards. Apparently hunting dove or quail they were spending their Sunday morning scaring pilgrims and fetching their evening meals!

More fun than dodging bullets was a walk-through local Sunday market. Although we thought we’d run into some fresh fruit and perhaps some candy for Brenda, it was 99% clothing 1/2 of a percent but your shops and the balance was odds and ends.

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken

Thankfully, mostly downhill, but unfortunately, mostly large uncomfortable rocks under their foot!

although there was some comic relief for the day 🙂 although we use Google translate regularly sometimes we think we just don’t need it. We saw a picture of a sandwich, you know a couple of pieces of bread and some meat. We thought we ordered what  we saw, and this is what we got! This was just one of the two sandwiches

as we hiked into a village from the corner of my eye, I saw an image of a little tiny car going around the corner. At first, I thought I just misunderstood what I saw and then as we got to the intersection, we realized that it wasn’t in fact, a little car being driven by a little girl.

 

we told her she was an excellent driver and gave her one of our Texas pins as a reward

 

as we walk through Ponferrada we saw some more excellent examples of art and culture.

Buen Camino

Brenda and Ken