So I want to share a funny and amazing story about a hat.

A couple of days into our walking our friend Ronnie from Germany set out from a cafe where several pilgrims had gathered. Noël and I shouted to him that he had left his hat. Another pilgrim Nuno from Portugal jokingly said, “you all must like him. I was going to take his hat.” we all laughed.

Noël and I looked at each other and said, “don’t we have an extra hat!” We looked but we didn’t. The next day as we headed out of Rubiaes there was a white hat on a pole and Noël said let’s take it for Nuno as a joke. Noël sent him a message to ask where he was on the camino and he said that he had walked 40 kms that day. So we would not see him again. And fortunately he had found a hat.

The next day while we were walking Noël decided to leave it on another pole. We met up with Ronnie, Esther (from the Netherlands ) and Ani (from Spain). Esther got a message from other pilgrims asking if Ronnie had lost his hat and that they had found it. They sent a photo. It was the one Noël had left. But sadly Ronnie had left his hat behind again.

The couple, Ronnie and Maria (also from the Netherlands) brought it along and discovered that Ronnie had indeed lost his hat but the one they found was not it. We then explained that Noël had picked it up for Nuno…(you know that story).

Ronnie and Maria kept thinking they would leave it somewhere as they walked along, we even talked about all of us signing it but for some reason they kept walking with it attached to one of their backpack.

As they walked into Tui Spain an older Australian woman ran up to them and said that it was her hat. She had lost it several days before. She was so happy to get it back.

And that’s one of the reasons that a common saying on the camino is “the camino provides”.

So we decided to have a late start and that was somewhat a mistake.

We had not taken into account the mountain we had to climb. And though it was a challenge we did it, despite the height meters and the rocks we made it. We arrived late but had a nice place to stay.

We had dinner with our friend Tony who we met on camino in 2021.

We have met so many wonderfully fun people on this camino, the farther you walk the more greater your community grows. And language is not a barrier!!

One of the things i have noticed from doing Camino’s is that the camino is both humbling and elevates confidence. it is both exhausting and invigorating. I’ve watched people start so fast and be forced to slow down because of injuries. I’ve talked to people who claim to always walk fast slow down to stay with new friends and enjoy the experience.

The Camino changes you or at least it begins to change your perspective. I’ll be interested in my big learning at the end of this.

We made it into Spain with our friend Joan also from the Netherlands.

For now I’m accepting my weaknesses and limitations and celebrating that I can.

Yesterday was a full day that ended with shopping, a nice dinner on a terrace and a visit with another pilgrim. Oh and a kitten deciding with a full terrace of people to sit in my lap.

We had a good sleep and had decided to start very early again because of the distance. We are taking turns carrying Noël’s pack, me for only short distances.

After 12,5 kms with no cafe open we plopped down on a rock and took a break. Took off our shoes, shared a sandwich we made just in case and a coke. We were only missing a morning coffee.

After another 3-4 kms we found an open cafe. It was awesome. We had a bite and then went on our way.

Six kilometers on and there was a perfect cafe and so many of the pilgrims that we have met. It was a lively group, lots of good conversation. And so many places represented: Germany, Belgium, US, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Portugal… a gathering of internationals.

We only had 10 more kilometers to go. Slightly more up and then down, down, down!!!! We stopped several times because the feet were hurting.

One of our stops was at a fountain and a pilgrim passed by and Noël said he looked familiar. And I said I think that’s the guy who told us about gaiters when we walked the camino in 2021. We walked up to a cafe and he was there. I approached him and told him my name and asked his. Then I said, “you look like someone we met on the camino in 2021. Did you walk that year?” He said “yes, what month?” Is responded, “October”

Long story short we met three years ago on the camino. How cool is that. and we got to walk today together.

After 36 kms/22miles we were beat. So we headed out for dinner and shopping for tomorrow’s just in case and a downpour started. So dinner ended up being a true Portuguese delight…Burger King. 😂

Our bags are ready for tomorrow. We are each carrying our backpacks and only going 18 kms/11 miles.

Today’s takeaway is…the camino provides…it’s a long standing saying on the camino and that can mean food, lodging, inspiration…and for us today friendship both new and old.

I’m going to share a lot of photos today. Today’s route was nowhere as challenging as yesterday’s but we were both plagued with some tummy upset so it made today challenging. We managed and even excelled.

Remember no matter what is troubling you I encourage you to take a deep breath and carry on!!