Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed” Khalil Gibran

26th June

Day 7 of walking – Redondela to Pontevedra – 23kms

Total Kms walked including day 7:

Stephany – 206; Sarah – 57; Nanette and Jacky – 22

Lizards – disappeared

G&T’s: stopped counting

Meet Torquoise Tina (my bag), Pink Elephant (Jackie’s bag), Green mamba (Nanette’s bag) and Black Ferrari (Sarah’s bag). Collectively they must weigh about 105 kilograms. Thank heavens we never met the Tuitrans guys anywhere.

Jacky and Nanette were waiting for Sarah and I at the apartment in Redondela the night before, it was lovely to see them after an 11 hour 33km day. We nattered and chatted and then all went out to dinner. And then as fast as you could blink an eye there were four of us.

We left at 6h35 am as we wanted to beat the heat. And get a good 10kms done by 9h30. The trek out of Redondela was a bit scary as cars were flying by for a short while. Once we all found our rhythm and we moved onto quieter woodland paths we were happier and more settled.

We stopped for our first coffee at about 6kms. The gals had done really well for timing on the first day. Thankfully it was overcast again, almost rainy. We walked through little villages with tiny winding roads, close to the sea at some point. We all just slotted into our own pace. At some points some were chatting others reflecting, then we would swop, then everyone would be silent. We found a great rhythm and pace. It can be complicated when four people who’ve never walked together try and walk like this, and it was so easy and relaxed and fun.

I started off feeling quite responsible for Nanette and Jacky, bu slowly i relaxed into my own rhythm and i could see they were starting to find their own, and enjoying it. I don think they really believed deep down that they could do this. The beauty of the Camino thankfully distracts you from your own lack of self belief and as you climb and walk more you start thinking you are invincible.

At some stage we took a riverside option walk, it want an extra 2kms, but we all agreed it was worth it. It was cool, green, beautiful.

At some point we found a Camino angel at the top of a little hill, selling stuff. But were after her benches for a rest of our feet. We bought one kit kat so we sat down and rested our feet and watched the pilgrims come up. At one point Ann (my pilgrim friend from Ireland) came by. She came and sat with us, I gave her a big hug, and started chatting after introducing her to everyone. Jacky then saw that Ann had a Fitbit on, and almost dived into her arms begging for her charger, as she had left hers behind. Ann gave it to with a power pack, and was happy that we find her in Pontevedra that night to hand it over. Lucky Jacks.

At some point on our walk we sat and had a picnic as we were all a little weary and a little hungry.

We eventually found our way into Pontevedra and found our Hotel Peregrino right at the entrance to the town. Yay. It was so cute to watch Jacky and Nanette plop down on the bed. We managed to do some washing and have a little rest before we went into town for dinner with Ann.

Gifts for today; weather, weather, weather! Such a blessing to have cool weather. Meeting Ann again and her lending Jacky her Fitbit charger; my Octopus pancake in Pontevedra, yum; the joy of walking with friends who I think will be even better friends after this experience; seeing Cinzia and her baby again and that they were safe; being able to walk the distance again, no problems.

Day 8 to 10 later.