As difficult as it is, I have to face that I reaching the limits of the capability of my knees. So, now, I have to figure out how many more days I can realistically count on them before I have to take a prolonged rest.
I’m now 7 walking days out of Santiago and all the days and all the KM before Sarria mean nothing if you can’t do the last 100 km.
Climbing out of Astorga, into the hills once again and towards Rabanal, our resting place for tonight, the Albergue La Senda. A sleepy little town that many just walk through. Hand wash our laundry and then dry it on the line across the street. I think most of us are tired so, when the sun goes down, so do we.
Tomorrow we have a pretty big climb, our last significant ascent of the Camino. Today, I was hurting, the descent yesterday really pounded my knees.
Early start up to the Cruz, left in the dark, as usual. While the Cruz has no spiritual meaning to me, I did carry a rock from home for my grandson, he’s the only one I have so his name is on it. I wish I’d brought one for Grandmaw Jones, she would have liked that.
On the way up, we meet Thomas, a lay minister from NC, in the dark, we have him join us so we can share the light from our headlamps. Foncebadon is our stop for breakfast at the only bar in this broken down little town, it does seem like there is some building going on.
I reach the Cruz de Ferro before the rest and enjoy the place and the people. I took a picture here that had Thomas in it and it was so personal that I gave him a copy and have not really shared it otherwise, this place has a deep spiritual meaning to him and I felt like I had intruded.
The decent into Molinaseca is probably one of the worst on the Camino, very steep but, beautiful. On my way down, I meet a very tired Pilgrim from Puerto Rico, Henry. This was his first day and he was tired, had not eaten and had no food with him and, he was low on water…a lesson here.
I offered him some water and a banana and we just sat and talked a bit. I asked if he would be OK and he said he would and he thanked me for the banana and water. I think the fact that he knew he was not alone was the most help. We parted ways with a wave and a buen Camino.
The decents are killing my knees so, I opted for a cab to Molinaseca from Acebo to avoid the steepest and most treacherous part, sometimes you have to pick your battles. Molinaseca is a beautiful town on a river that they dam up to make a small lake, I could live here, it’s nice.
I’m sending my pack ahead which knocks about 18 lbs off my knees, it seems small but you feel it. If that doesn’t work, I can only get 1 day of rest before Sarria. I will walk in to Santiago, it may be late but I will be there.
As as I approach the end of my Camino, days of the week are coming back in to focus, I know that next Thursday I arrive in Santiago and I will see Susan & Leah. For weeks now, I had no idea of days or dates and, I didn’t care.
My focus is on getting to Santiago and completing the Camino. My reward is seeing Susan. No matter how much you try to prepare, this is a tough journey and there always seems to be something trying to stop you. There is always, another hill.
Hot day today with rolling hills the entire way and a long climb in front of us.
Still can’t easily post pics, those from the climb up to Cruz de Ferro are some of the best.