Stage 15 Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeriz, 21 kms, 4.5 hrs, 21C

MUD!!

Sometimes things on line do not work as intended. I put a very nice post together and it failed to publish, so here is the short version as not enough time to redo. It was all about the MUD today and it was a tough slog. Heavy rains in the middle of the night left the next leg a mess with clay based mud which stuck like glue.

Our boots became heavier and heavier and it was really easy to loose a boot which can create all sorts of problems. Take note Karen and Carol and pals who plan to walk next year...take short gaiters as you will find mud along the way...best gear decision so far.

Below is Hontanas, our half way stop today and the end of the day for Annemarie...read on.

Annemarie's toe flared badly on the trail today, and she managed 11 kms before we were able to arrange a ride for her on a luggage transport truck on to our destination. She was able to get medical attention, but we have arranged a transfer tomorrow for her and I will walk the 26 kms on my own which will provide me with some time to think through a few things that have been floating out there. Annemarie will get a splint put on the toe at our next stop tomorrow and then wait for me to wander in.

After Annemarie went joy riding today, I walked on with our Aussie pals Peter and Dave and we made good time before the rain started again...you know the scene, 3 boys in the mud!

 We are camping again tonight in a very good hut...and my gear is pretty well dry. I'll have an early breakfast tomorrow and get on the trail for what should be a 5-6 hour adventure depending on the trail conditions. The sun is presently out, and hopefully the mud will firm up. 

Tomorrow we will re-address the amazing night that was last night....such a special experience! However, I will put in Annemarie's poem that she wrote in 15 minutes for the dinner...there were a few tears as everyone could relate after we had all had a tough, wet day. We now have to send this out to various folks at the dinner....sigh.

It just gets better

As  each day passes on this trail

I wonder what memory will prevail

There are so many that have already developed

Of people met, places visited, 

And each day we say it can't get better than this

Another experience arises that can't be missed

My recordings to date have been prolific

I have intentionally skipped over the experiences more horrific

But today, folks, today is beyond compare

The experiences of this day are truly rare

We started walking in a nasty squall

All of us on our deepest resources had to call

But we all knew there was a special place waiting for us

Even when at times today all we wanted to do was cuss

And then we found ourselves here

Meeting each other over a beer

We all knew we had landed someplace incredible

We drank it in, hardly believing it to be credible

As we explored our surroundings we learned this was a place of some notoriety

It has a strong link to a family with some celebrity

We have shared a meal beyond compare, 

And when I thought it couldn't get any better, the Irish and their amazing singing we're there

I truly cannot express adequately the specialness of this day

And I look forward to getting to know each of you better as we continue on our way

La Molina Casa Rural, Oct 1

Last thought....we keep seeing lots of single boots and even pairs of boots along the trial. Shouldn't they be on their owner's feet? A mystery!

Lots of new knee braces on the trail today after the slick conditions yesterday...must have been hell in the mud. Again, not a complaint from anyone...just a quiet determination. 

Buen Camino.