A massive thunderstorm rolled in late last evening as I was finishing up my blog. Heat lightning had been flashing for about 45 minutes and then the storm opened up right on top of the town. I had my balcony doors open to the street. People were sitting on the bar patios. When the downpour suddenly started, I could hear the scrape of chairs on the pavement and the excited shouts as everyone scrambled for cover. It rained hard and long. The thunder and lightening were like fireworks. It was still raining when I went to sleep.
Tuesday August 27 2019
Los Arcos to Viana, Walking day #6
20 km, 28,000 steps
I wanted an early start today so I set two alarms, one for 6:00 am, the other for 6:05 am. I do remember hearing them both. I woke up at 7:00am.
The small breakfast buffet was lovely. I made my favorite morning sandwich of Spanish cheese and Iberico ham. 2 fried eggs (need that protein!), cake (because I can) and peach juice (I need the electrolytes!) Last night while blogging I drank a litre of water. I kid you not. 1000 ml. And I didn't have to use the washroom during the night. I guess I need to drink even more while I'm walking than I am drinking already. I also pick up a few snacks for the road - a banana, a yoghurt and a packaged bakery item that they often have on the buffet. Sometimes I'll make myself a cheese sandwich for the road. I'll also take a glass of juice and pour it into my water bottle, then dilute it with plain water. That makes it so much easier to drink.
The rain was completely finished, but it had changed everything. The sky was still overcast (much appreciated) but there was a humidity in the air that had not been present before.
The fruits growing along the roadside had been washed clean, so I did venture to taste some grapes and blackberries. Amahhhhzing!
The rain brought out lots of critters I hadn't seen before. Check out this huge snail. I found this guy crossing the path (I am so sorry I stepped on your brother a while back - I just didn't see him. Why are you guys all out here getting under foot??).
Then there's this.....crawfish??.....on this farm field?? Okay......
And so many of these guys, all hurrying somewhere.
A few times today (and every day) I was passed by people on bikes. They charge along, covering twice the distance (or more) in one day, than those of us on foot. One guy had a GoPro on his helmet. I pretty sure those bikers don't notice the small, beautiful things on the path. I'm also pretty sure they don't notice some of the bigger things, like the beauty of the geometry of these fields.
Although one very cool woman on a fat-tired unicycle, well, I bet she noticed everything!
I walked almost all day on my own, often not even within sight of anyone else. I really loved it. A few times I stopped to listen to the silence. No breeze, no insects, no traffic. Total silence. How often do we get that when we're outdoors?? It was amazing.
The path wasn't wet in any way that would make your shoes wet, but the rain had washed down all the dust. Today for once I did not arrive at my hotel with "a protective armour of dirt".
People are very interested in my lumbar pack. No-one else has anything like it. People frequently say to me "Is it comfortable? It doesn't look comfortable!" When I assure them that it is, indeed, extremely comfortable, the next thing they ask is "Where do you get something like that?" We have all been walking for 6-9 days now (depending on where you started and how many km you did per day) and I'm very sure that people are tired of carrying weight on their shoulders. I see people leaning so far forward, just to find a balancing point over their feet. And not everyone knows how to pack a backpack properly for hiking, and not everyone knows how to fit a backpack properly. I'm sure they suffer for it. One lady told me proudly that her husband agreed to carry the water! This is no small deal. Two people need to keep two full litres of water with them all the time, to get them through the stretches where there is no fresh water available, and that's a lot of weight to add to your pack!
I'm still feeling good. Back is good. Hips/knees/feet are good. Spirit is good.
I see that I have brought all the right things with me. The right shoes, right clothes, right personal supplies. My technology is working well. I haven't had to make any emergency runs to a Farmacia or an outfitter. The plans my travel planner made for me are working out very well. No complaints. For those that don't know me well, that is unheard of. For those that know me well......well all I can say is don't faint.
Keep those emails coming! They give me as much energy as bread and chocolate!
Eultreia!
(The ancient pilgrim's greeting: "Let's keep going with courage/Let's go beyond")
Making progress:790 down to 636!
Tuesday August 27 2019
Los Arcos to Viana, Walking day #6
20 km, 28,000 steps
I wanted an early start today so I set two alarms, one for 6:00 am, the other for 6:05 am. I do remember hearing them both. I woke up at 7:00am.
The small breakfast buffet was lovely. I made my favorite morning sandwich of Spanish cheese and Iberico ham. 2 fried eggs (need that protein!), cake (because I can) and peach juice (I need the electrolytes!) Last night while blogging I drank a litre of water. I kid you not. 1000 ml. And I didn't have to use the washroom during the night. I guess I need to drink even more while I'm walking than I am drinking already. I also pick up a few snacks for the road - a banana, a yoghurt and a packaged bakery item that they often have on the buffet. Sometimes I'll make myself a cheese sandwich for the road. I'll also take a glass of juice and pour it into my water bottle, then dilute it with plain water. That makes it so much easier to drink.
The rain was completely finished, but it had changed everything. The sky was still overcast (much appreciated) but there was a humidity in the air that had not been present before.
The fruits growing along the roadside had been washed clean, so I did venture to taste some grapes and blackberries. Amahhhhzing!
Grapes are ripe! Green? I didn't taste these - this was a private garden
Or red? These were in a vineyard - I did taste a few
Wild almonds are ready for picking
Olives are ready, too!
The rain brought out lots of critters I hadn't seen before. Check out this huge snail. I found this guy crossing the path (I am so sorry I stepped on your brother a while back - I just didn't see him. Why are you guys all out here getting under foot??).
Then there's this.....crawfish??.....on this farm field?? Okay......
And so many of these guys, all hurrying somewhere.
A few times today (and every day) I was passed by people on bikes. They charge along, covering twice the distance (or more) in one day, than those of us on foot. One guy had a GoPro on his helmet. I pretty sure those bikers don't notice the small, beautiful things on the path. I'm also pretty sure they don't notice some of the bigger things, like the beauty of the geometry of these fields.
Although one very cool woman on a fat-tired unicycle, well, I bet she noticed everything!
I walked almost all day on my own, often not even within sight of anyone else. I really loved it. A few times I stopped to listen to the silence. No breeze, no insects, no traffic. Total silence. How often do we get that when we're outdoors?? It was amazing.
Approaching Viana
The path wasn't wet in any way that would make your shoes wet, but the rain had washed down all the dust. Today for once I did not arrive at my hotel with "a protective armour of dirt".
People are very interested in my lumbar pack. No-one else has anything like it. People frequently say to me "Is it comfortable? It doesn't look comfortable!" When I assure them that it is, indeed, extremely comfortable, the next thing they ask is "Where do you get something like that?" We have all been walking for 6-9 days now (depending on where you started and how many km you did per day) and I'm very sure that people are tired of carrying weight on their shoulders. I see people leaning so far forward, just to find a balancing point over their feet. And not everyone knows how to pack a backpack properly for hiking, and not everyone knows how to fit a backpack properly. I'm sure they suffer for it. One lady told me proudly that her husband agreed to carry the water! This is no small deal. Two people need to keep two full litres of water with them all the time, to get them through the stretches where there is no fresh water available, and that's a lot of weight to add to your pack!
Some places are so steep that you are provided with a choice of incline or stairs.
Some choice! I opt for the incline.
I'm still feeling good. Back is good. Hips/knees/feet are good. Spirit is good.
I see that I have brought all the right things with me. The right shoes, right clothes, right personal supplies. My technology is working well. I haven't had to make any emergency runs to a Farmacia or an outfitter. The plans my travel planner made for me are working out very well. No complaints. For those that don't know me well, that is unheard of. For those that know me well......well all I can say is don't faint.
Keep those emails coming! They give me as much energy as bread and chocolate!
Eultreia!
(The ancient pilgrim's greeting: "Let's keep going with courage/Let's go beyond")
Lovely pictures Carol - especially like the big snail and almond on the tree. I am reading your blog as a mini break during the work day, and imagining walking through the countryside with you!
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