When we first shared our plans for our great adventure many of our family and friends the universal response was “are you all crazy?” I mean to be fair there was also some who were in awe and some who said they were jealous, but mostly we heard we were nuts!!

In France the cuckoo birds started and we continue to hear them throughout Spain. “Cukoo, cuckoo!” They sing to us as we walk along. Today was a particularly cuckoo day. They were loud and long with their cuckoos. It made me think about conversations we had before leaving in January.

Our walk today was up from Foncebadon to the Iron Cross and then up some more. And then the descent began. We descended 900 meters nearly 3000 feet in 15 kms/9 miles. It was covered with stones and rocks. It was a bit cuckoo.

As we walked along very much alone. We looked around occasionally and there was no one behind us. Then all of a sudden I heard someone coming fast, like it was a runner. I turned my head to make sure I was hearing correctly…and there was someone just a few feet behind me. I thought it was our friend Uroš, but was still startled and screamed! It was a woman and I think I startled here. I apologized and said I was in my head and it just startled me. 😂😂😂

We were happy to have done a shorter day. Our feet are even happier!!!

We stayed on a detour last night. It was a beautiful village but shut down at 2:00. No dinner. No groceries. Fortunately one of the workers offered to get us a pizza in Astorga. Unfortunately it was 8:00 when we ate. One of the things that we have noticed is that is very difficult to digest food when you eat so late.

Today was a very big climb so I decided to wear my boots again. It was great. My calloused toes seemed to have healed, they are still a bit sore but nothing like previously.

I will wear them again tomorrow for the steep descent.

We were talking to our friend Uroš today and he told someone that I was a witch. 😂 He then explained that he was cranky and grumpy on the Camino and he met us and his camino changed. He’s laughing, enjoying, slowing down. I looked at the person he was talking to and said, “I’m a good witch!!” To which Uroš replied, “nope, I was happy being cranky!” And we all laughed.

It’s so fun making connections and community!!

Thank you for following!!

Noël struggled the first time he walked the Meseta. It is a place where you can clear your mind. However if there is too much going on in your head it makes it a challenging place.

This time through the Meseta it was different for him. His mindset was completely different. After retirement and becoming a grandfather, plus a good relationship with me he is in a totally different place.

Interestingly enough your mindset changes how you approach this part of the Camino. if you have a different opinion let me know.

Honestly it hasn’t been easy, certainly not a walk in the park, but better because we have done it before and faced the demons.

We reunited once again with our friend Uroš and we ate together and walked together. We will see him again tomorrow.

AND Tomorrow is a big climb!!

Today was hard. We took the alternative route, which I have never done before and won’t again. The only high point was the last stop before arriving.

Long roads, with rocks, and lots of sun. The road seemed to go on forever. So we did something we don’t usually do, we put on some music…one earbud for each of us. Noël selected an 80s mix and it was great. We started walk dancing and the time seemed to move so much faster. I’m not sure what the people behind us thought when YMCA came on. 😂

We reached our albergue only to find out our extra bag hadn’t made it. It was a lack of communication that will not happen again.

We met our friend Uroš and he had bad news. He was looking forward to being able to share with us. So we went for a drink before dinner. His father had been taken to the emergency room. it seems all is okay but he needs to be monitored.

We had a nice dinner with Terry from Washington state joining us.

It was a challenging and long day but was okay.