Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

15th May 2022

“Happiness is …. Finding your mojo!” Anon

Day 9 – Golinhac to Conques

22.5kms and 35 144 steps – total to date; 228kms and 346 019 steps

I woke up before my alarm having slept really well and full of energy to get to Conques determined to enjoy the journey. My mojo was back. I had also spent some time reminding myself why I was here and to enjoy every minute of the journey and not focus on getting in. it’s tough when you’re averaging 25kms a day. Very little I did on my last two Caminos equal what I’ve done on the Chemin so far. It’s much tougher than I imagined and was mentally prepared for AND the good news is I am getting stronger.

The walking was good. Beautiful views again. It’s almost unbelievable that everyday is so stunning. One just keeps walking through paintings 🖼 I want to take photos of everything to share with everyone and especially with Warwick but it’s impossible and they also don’t really capture what I see. Some come close though.

I walked the first 8 or so kilometers alone and then stumbled upon Jennie. We continued together. At this point I still had my hat tied to my backpack. A really tall guy with no pack but literally marching along walks up next to me and says “Are you English?” I of course say “No I’m South African!” He walks in a bit, slows down and says to me in really good English (he’s definitely French), “Why. Are you not wearing your hat! You should wear your hat!” I explain that I normally put it on around noon when it gets hot and it’s nearly time. He’s quiet for a second and then says “I’m only saying this because I’m an oncologist and I see a lot of melanomas!”, and he marches off. I think I might have had my jaw drop to the floor. Jennie and I promptly put our hats on and kept joking for the rest of the day about what a weird pick up line that was or was it a way to scare the Pilgrims.

At some point I broke out the Queen to keep us going down down down towards Conques. And surprise surprise, we wandered into Conques at 15h00 and on 22.5kms – the first time the guidebook has been accurate about distance. Every day before has been out (longer) by at least 2 to 4 kms.

Conques is gorgeous. We find our hotel right in front of the Cathedral. Yes, Conques dates back to the 8th Century and the buildings to the 11th Century and it has a Cathedral. One big big impressive Cathedral. Our hotel is beautiful, we’re on the 4th floor of a spiralish staircase of course. So Priscilla and Daisy have a long way to be lugged. Thankfully Jennie to the rescue again (she moved my bags the day before as she saw it was getting later and later).

We checked in and shortly after I found Mike and Jane in reception and was so excited to see them I hugged them. And suddenly remembered Covid! Anyways we had dinner together at our beautiful hotel and then off to bed.

Chemin gifts

– finding my mojo

– our beautiful hotel with wait for it a South African (Neil from Cape Town) who gave us a table on the terrace for dinner

– the Celebrex I brought with me for my hip pain

– the beautiful Conques for a rest day which we had all to ourselves this morning

More pics of Conques tomorrow. For those still wanting to donate to The Butterfly Centre please don’t forget. I can send you the details. Every little bit counts. And I’m working really hard. 🙏🏼♥️