Day 29 - Birthday and Barnyards

Oct 10

Destination - Pintin

Distance - 22 km

Hours of walking - 8:30 - 4:00

Terrain - up, down, up, down, down 

Weather - cool -  on with the threat of rain

Nature - all the barnyard animals you can imagine

Misadventure - Shared 'birthday' cake for breakfast doesn't last very long, but few opportunities for food. Does anyone have a Cliff bar?

We had a great walk. It was a debate to which day was more spectacular - up the mountain or down the mountain today. 

Sunrise on the mountain

It was a tough walking day, yet so very enjoyable. Everything is so lush. Our journey took us threw countless farmyards. It appears that they farm together in communities. The barns are all nestled together and then the pasture and crop lands expand from there. Perhaps that is where the Spanish social culture comes from - their roots of farming together. 

There is a contrast in smells as we walk through - the fresh vegetation and the wood burning in the fire places versus the 'ripe' smells of the animals. 

Beautiful flowers - Gale, maybe the next garden tour can be in Spain!

Veggies

Sharing the Way with a farmer moving cattle

This was the most beautiful rooster. The photo doesn't do him justice. 

Mystical path

Treebeard from Lord of the Rings perhaps?

Mid afternoon foot care break

We thought we would get somewhere exotic and fun for Dee's birthday, but we ended up in a farming hamlet with a 'Pension' which is basic pilgrim hotel. We were able to obtain a room with three beds and our own shower - not a bad birthday gift for Dee! It was a good thing that we had our own room, as after dinner when we tucked into bed, we got the giggles. It was just like a birthday slumber party. 

Relaxing at the end of the day in our room

We lucked out in choosing this farming hamlet for the night. The food was spectacular and the wine, which we think was home made, was the best we have had on the trip. 

One of my favourite parts of the Camino is sharing meals with pilgrims. Wendy and I were a little sad, as we had tried to line up our travels days with some of our pilgrim friends as a surprise for Dee. This didn't work out. However we were surprised to make some special new friends at dinner and the night was filled with celebration.  

As most restaurants don't start serving food until 7:00pm, us hungry pilgrims flock to eat at the same time. The restaurant was set for tables of four, however as people started coming in, we pulled tables together to eat. It is unfortunate this doesn't happen all the time in our lives. We started the meal as strangers but ended as friends. 

The truly international table of friends 

We met a man from Holland that has been walking from home since July. He has lost 20kg but is wearing the same pants. He will walk 40km tomorrow so we will not see him again, but I will remember him always. The couple from Paris have been walking portions for three years. They have packing down to a spreadsheet science. Five kilograms each - all calculated on a spreadsheet. Kerry from San Fransico is walking 50 days to celebrate her 50th birthday. Maricia, the cutest little lady from Mexico City. And the couple from Sweden who just started their Camino a couple of days prior. Everyone has their own Camino and their own way of walking. 

Cheer of the day from Wendy - spending the whole day with my sister on her birthday and being able to walk through a mystical forest with her