We got a ride from our accommodation back to Los Arcos where we had breakfast. Fortunately I checked the weather and we had our rain gear with us. 

We had a small breakfast in Los Arcos which was delicious but maybe if we had skipped it we would have missed some of the weather. We walked 1 km out of Los Arcos and heard a very loud and long clap of thunder. 

We met Marielle and Mark from France as we were walking. They started from their hometown and have walked 1200 kms. So we had a lot in common. She has a roller car that she pulls behind her. 

The rain started gently 2,5 kms before Sansol. The lightning and thunder started long before that. It wasn’t very close at this point. But after a previous Camino being stuck out in the open with lightning close I swore I wouldn’t do it again. 

2 kms before Sansol the skies opened, it was pouring. Our ponchos were soaked inside and out. A small tienda/store in Sansol was the only shelter and it was crowded. We decided to keep moving. We passed by the bus stop and there were several pilgrims seeking shelter or waiting for the bus. 

We made it down the steep incline which was thankfully not slick and then up through the water pouring down the streets in Torres del Rio. We made it to a cafe which was packed with soaked pilgrims. We finally found a seat while the thunder and lightning continued. 

Several pilgrims took a cab to the next town, others waited until things seemed a bit better, not great but better. We heard about a pilgrim who was not feeling well and so we offered to share a cab with her, two other pilgrims joined us, and then another pilgrim asked if he could ride too. It all worked out.

I’m not really bothered by rain but I won’t play with lightning. Interesting thing is many of my photos are black. I’m trying to figure out how to restore them, so far I haven’t figured it out. I will be happy to have help. 

Lesson: storms come and go. How do you choose to ride them out. One pilgrim said he would be out walking with a tin foil hat ( he was taking a rest day). Others commented I am here enjoy and learn, I have nothing to prove. Many pilgrims weathered the storm literally and have amazing stories. I have stories from weathering storms too as I’m sure you do as well whether literal storm or virtual storms.

It was a good day. I hope you are have a great day too. Buen Camino!

PS we were drying our shoes in the window sill and another rain storm hit so our boots are soaked again. Thank goodness for the lady at the grocery who gave us plenty of newspaper to dry them.

Paying attention in life is important. Paying attention requires us to watch, listen to, or think about something or someone carefully or with interest. 

Paying attention when you travel or hike means to be diligent. What have I packed, do I really need this? Where am I going today? And on Camino that means watching for the signs( yellow arrows or shells) directing you which way to go. We have called back numerous pilgrims who were busy talking, which is fine, but they missed the yellow arrows. 

Another aspect of paying attention on pilgrimage means figuring out where you are staying for the night. And if you have decided to book ahead double check how far from the city center your accommodation is. 

We are usually very diligent about this. But today we failed and failed big time. We booked something 1,9 kms by car out of town or 3,7 kms by foot. I’m going to take back that we failed, we have had a very important lesson and learning experience. 

We got a cab to our accommodation and will take a cab back to town tomorrow early and start walking where we left off. All is well that ends well. 

Today we met some more pilgrims that we have seen off and on since the beginning of our camino. Ron from Utah, Laurie from Washington and Gertrude from The Netherlands. We have passed them and vice versa. The other day Ron was talking as they passed us and after they were out of earshot I said he seems like a really nice guy. And I was right. Laurie and Gertrude are super nice too and we are very happy to have met them all.

We started early this morning hoping to avoid the heat and did for the most part. It was a good day. 

I hope you are having a good day. Buen Camino!

We were doing great this morning until the heat kicked in and after several very steep hills we were ready to be done. So I offer you some views from our day. Stunning vistas.

Obstacle: a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress. 

I thought of this subject today because there was literally a tree right in the way of the path. 

But it is not just the tree or the mountain or the river that can be an obstacle. It can also be a belief system, disempowering thoughts, the negative voices around you that can be an obstacle and prevent you from moving forward. 

We met a young g woman today who was struggling with feet pains, no blisters just pain in her feet. She expressed to us that when she went from SJPdP to Orisson she cried for 24 hours because she was so happy. And then when she made it to  Roncesvalles she was so proud of herself. These are big steps. However, sometimes we do not give ourselves credit for it. 

Small steps are equally important. Each step we take towards the goal we are after takes us that much closer to what we want to achieve.

My challenge today was to look at the obstacles that get in my way (literally a tree) and the obstacles others put in my way (why would you do that? Are you sure you are capable of this? You are not prepared.) As well as the obstacles I put in my own way ( you are out of shape, you are overweight, you are “aging”) and say how can I get around, over, beyond this obstacle. 

It was fun to climb to the top of alto de perdon today and not feel inadequate, actually feel strong. It was equally rewarding to go down the steep decline and feel empowered. It was even more rewarding to see the people struggling up the ascent down the descent and make it on their own time. 

What are the obstacles in your life? How will you overcome them? I’m very curious and would be happy to help you discover ways to overcome. Buen Camino!!