Leaving Portomarin was again done in the dark and included the requisite climb to get the heart pumping. It was not however the roller coaster of the day before.
We walked in overcast most of the day with a cool breeze from time to time, all in all a good walking day.
The exception was, all the new Pilgrims. Having grown used to a lot of silence and the usual trekkers, now there are dozens and even hundreds of “minimalist Pilgrims “, those doing the final 100k to get their Compostella.
It’s their Camino too but it’s distracting, I won’t use disappointing but some would. They travel in packs, loud, some rude and all in a hurry. I hope they find some contentment.
Paul, Becky and I rolled through the countryside at a good pace, I think Paul’s getting a feel for the wear and tear, the general fatigue of the Camino. At this point, the rest of us know it well.
Headed into Palas de Rei, we ran into Nigel and Bernie and Carol and Latina, always good to see them. Steve and Chris are only a half day ahead and we should catch up tomorrow.
Got a a text from Susan, travel delays on the east coast, stranded in Nashville and will miss their flight from JFK. There’s a possibility that she may not come because of the cost to change her ticket. I can’t say how hard this hit me, I’ve looked so forward to seeing her after 5 weeks. It’s hard to think about it and it changes how I feel about the last many weeks.