Stage 34: Puddle Jumping - Arzua to Pedrouzo, 20 kms, 17C, 4 hrs, rain & high winds

A New Camino Game

As earlier reported there has been some unseasonably heavy weather coming ashore off the Atlantic and its stirring things up. As we started our day this morning we walked out later than we had in some time...day light was actually in the sky. Picking walking gear was tricky with the variable weather, and we changed up adding light jackets to our t-shirts and shorts before we'd even walked a block, only to take off the jackets again shortly afterwards. Then it was poncho on, poncho off for the rest of the day. A strange day. Even had to tie down the hated Tilley, but it again performed well!

As we wandered along a new peregrino game got underway...dodge the storm cell which involves moving from shelter to shelter as quickly as possible to avoid getting wet. Some play this game extremely well...others not. At one point we ducked into a bar for a bowl of soup as the sky simply opened up...others we chatted to were not so lucky and became soaked...they have a lot to learn! 

Rain gear can only do so much to keep you dry and the rain was simply too intense.

Fortunately, Galician trails are fairly well draining which I had dared to hope for this morning. However, at some points during the walk even the well draining trails became overwhelmed. 

One more day and we are in. From what we can see on the tv news the weather should be a bit better tomorrow. I hope for all concerned that it is...too far to come to end up arriving soaked and then having to stand in a line to obtain your compestella and greet others arriving. The long distance walkers are pretty excited and there is great anticipation just below the surface...each happy to be close to the end. I can confirm that these two are. 

Buen Camino!

Addendum: Just back in from dinner and you would think it was Christmas Eve! There was a large group of us in the restaurant and everyone is completely cranked up and excited for tomorrow. Lots of fun and inspiration. We again met Beth who lives very close by us at home and she is meeting her friend Terri tomorrow in Santiago...I mentioned this in an earlier post. Beth is now hobbling badly and walking very slowly, but will complete the 20kms tomorrow although at about 2 kms/hr she won't be in until late afternoon. Apparently Terri is not walking on to the coast because the storms have made the trail almost impassible in parts, so I'm not feeling as badly about not being able to walk this part. The excitement is pretty special to watch...after so many days of slugging it out everyone had a glow tonight...the wine was certainly flowing! We have made arrangements to stay in the same place in Santiago at a very old monastery on the main square across from the cathedral and we all be together tomorrow night for a celebratory dinner. Should be a very long evening! No sign of Ken tonight, but he must be close by as he has also booked in to the same hotel in Santiago, so will see him tomorrow.

Lightning and thunder has begun...should be an entertaining light show tonight! Seems nicely appropriate!

The Camino Umbrella 

At the point when we made the decision to walk the Camino

Was when our Camino really started...we have both said this, you know

From that time there has been a sense that this walk was meant to be

And there has been something of a protective and supportive umbrella around me

 The timing proved right, and any challenges or barriers were addressed

Our preparation generally went well, and on we pressed

Even my knee injury proved a blessing in disguise 

It meant I had the right brace on as I walked, what a surprise

The last few days I have felt the Camino umbrella in a more tangible way

The storms come and go, but for the most part, it's dry we stay

Often just after we check into our hotel

The skies open up with another rain cell

Today we could see that a downpour was imminent, 

But there was a restaurant, and in we went

Others have been soaked o the skin, getting caught in the rain

For them, I'm sure the recent weather has been a pain

But for whatever reason we have been minimally affected

It's like there is an invisible umbrella under which we are protected