Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

3rd June 2022

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing!” Anon

Day 24 – Nogaro to Aire sur l’adore

Kms – 27,7 – Total to date – 605.8kms

Steps – 41676 – Total to date – 933 280 steps

Hours – 6hrs 33 mins – Total – 160 hours

Today started really early. I was up and out of the hotel by 6h30. There had been some discussion around what todays distance would be and it ranged from 27kms (the map book) to 35kms (the travel guide) I’ve come to see that often the map book is two or three out and the guide book too. So I settled my brain on 35. Otherwise my body gives up at 27.

I’d already scouted the day before and knew there was a bakery open at 6h00 for a coffee and a chocolatine. I’m becoming quite accustomed to breakfast and pastries at that. Need to kick this habit fast. Delicious on both counts. I set off in very cool overcast weather. I never saw a Pilgrim for at least the first 5kms. Everything looked mysterious and eerie veiled in a light mist. I found myself singing “Time warp” from Rocky Horror and dancing as I walked. I had downloaded the album a few days ago as it kept popping into my head.

So I’m dancing along to “Time Warp” playing in my head and I’m thinking about how gloriously beautiful this trip has been. Tough but really stunning. So different at every turn. So beautiful. I love that the Pilgrim in me has emerged fully again. She’s inquisitive, she’s playful, she’s adventurous, she notices all the little things again (the tiniest lady birds far away), she’s courageous and brave, and smiles all the time (except when her feet are in agony), she embraces every second of every day as it’s precious, she’s cheeky, she’s charming and gets so excited (like a child) at the sight of almost everything and she’s oh so chilled. She loves walking and dancing and singing out loud.

It’s been interesting to watch Spring become Summer as we’ve walked through region after region. The landscapes have changed dramatically, the architecture has changed throughout each Department or Region. The use of the land from cows to crops and fruit has changed a few times. And for a city girl to see all this up close and personal has been delightful.

A lovely day of walking on sunshine and reflecting a bit albeit it long and hot.

The walked ended up only bring 27kms and it was a joy to walk in at 14h30. Our place, The Hotel N’atura was at the start of town and a perfect stop for our rest day with a pool and a river view. And the anticipation of my old shoes arriving from SA and meeting up with Ann and Charles for the last time.

Camino gifts

– a rest day just when the feet are crying again

– my “old” new shoes and socks waiting for me all the way from South Africa with a card of appreciation for me and some smarties

– the gentle nudge from the Camino to dance like no one’s watching every day wherever I am

– the reminder of how loved I am and how missed I am from my team