Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

“One of the gifts that the Camino offers is the freedom to be yourself. This freedom is liberating!” Anon

Day 9 – 28th June – 23kms – Caldas de Reis to Padron

Kilometers walked so far including day 9;

Stephany – 253

Sarah – 104

Jacky & Nanette – 69

We left at 6am again, caught a taxi back to Caldas de Reis from our beautiful haven at Torre de Rio. I have to say I think all of us could just have spent the day there. Pure luxury. The beautiful sunrise made up for the early wake up call, and we all had a spring in our step quickly.

A large part of the walking today was on natural pathways through beautiful woodlands. We walked along two river valleys , and a couple of short climbs. At some point we stopped for a little picnic with our packed breakfasts and watched Pilgrims walk by. We bumped into Eamon and Aisling (the Irish couple) again. Eamon looked in agony as he negotiated the little hills we had to descend.

The scenery was lovely today, mostly in shade and cool, making for lovely walking. We walked through a hamlet called San Miguel de Valga and came across the colorful Alessandro and his interesting Mesa de Petra. A middle aged man who had been to Durban and uses a shaving cream bought in Durban. He sold a whole lot of different things out of his shed, garage, space. He carves objects out of stone. He also likes Pilgrims to sign their names and country on a scallop shell which he sticks on his wall.

He took quite a liking to Sarah and chatted away with her. We sat for a bit then got on our way. Was 5km left for the day and it was midday.

Our accommodation was in Lestrove, 1,5km out of Padron, from where we needed to walk on Friday. We found it quickly and it was a lovely Tourisme Agri Casa. The rooms were lovely and big, and had beautiful views. We all had a little sleep, and then got a taxi into Padron, where we bumped into Eamon and Aisling again, and Ann also joined us. Eamon insisted on buying us a drink. He bought all five off us a drink. We spoke to the couple for a long time, and he was just the most delightful man to talk to. So down to earth and genuine.

We also met Pepe, the Owner of the Bar/Cafe on the corner at the Cathedral in Padron. He was so delightful, he was so kind and generous and funny. He loved that we came from Cape Town and loved showing us his rands on the wall. He told us he opened at 5am for coffee. We loved this as we were leaving at 6am.

Gifts; Everyone’s feet holding up; meeting the Irish couple again, and spending time with them; A delicious Pulpo (octopus) dinner; a lovely days walking; meeting Pepe (a walking billboard for kindness on the Camino); the simple pleasure of walking and loving it.

Another beautiful day on the Camino, all of us just being and just belonging. All of us in and out of our own thoughts, engaging when necessary, having a laugh with the selfie stick when it was appropriate and just having time to enjoy our walking and to have complete conversations.

This Camino is so addictive, I am walking along listening to my music and suddenly I catch myself planning my next Camino.

Day 10 and reflections on the Camino later.