The Meseta is all about being in your mind which can be a challenge and at the same time liberating. For me it is both/and.

In the quietness of the Meseta you hear the birds singing, the frogs croaking, pilgrims talking, the crunch of gravel underfoot and the voices in your head some positive, some negative. These voices nag you to resolve things that have been placed on back burners or that you have tried to leave behind.

It is in this place that you find a different strength, not the physical strength of the first part of the Camino, but the strength within. A strength that you are born with but that sometimes you are robbed of by circumstance or people. It is here in the Meseta that the mind gets toned. The courage is bolstered. And you realize you are stronger than you imagined.

I believe that there are Meseta experiences in everyday life. Those times where you feel you are wandering in the wilderness, and you keep wandering and wandering until you come out of the wilderness stronger and braver. Be patient and know there is a place of hope.

Thank you for following. Buen Camino.

While we walked in France the stones were particularly bad, and the paths were uneven. Noël mentioned several times about getting on the Camino Frances and having better roads. I didn’t want to remind him that many of the paths on the Camino Frances also are uneven and full of stones.

Today I told him that the Camino is like pregnancy…you easily forget how uncomfortable you are and how painful it can be. And when you have completed your Camino or perhaps before you are finished you are already planning another Camino. At least that’s how it is for me.

We left early to try to avoid the heat as much as possible. We had a big ascent and descent today.

Also we met some lovely people sadly they are headed home tomorrow after our walk. But I think we will stay connected. Really enjoyed spending time with them!!!

Lots of photos coming your way.

The Meseta is considered the Mental part of the Camino. It is like life coaching on foot.

As you walk along you get curious about your life…you start asking probing questions that allow you to dig deeper. It might be “what was I thinking when I decided to walk the Camino?” Or “is this the job I was meant for?” Or “How do I embrace this grief of losing someone I love?” Or “Who am I?” There are more questions. But here are a few that I have heard.

Many people choose to skip this part of the Camino because of its mental challenges. The first part challenges you physically, and that’s hard but the mental is almost harder. You have to dig deep and ask yourself questions “what, how?”

It’s clear that we are not just physical. Life is wholistic. We are definitely physical, but also more…mental and spiritual.

We met Sam again today and she said I’m really enjoying the Meseta. It’s beautiful. And I just want to say to anyone who wants to skip this part… “go!!! Walk the Meseta!” She even went so far to say she was going to stand at the bus stop in Burgos where people skip the Meseta and go to Léon and say, “Stop! Get off the bus!! Go walk!!!

We met some pilgrims from the UK. They are delightful. We will be having dinner with them. Pictures tomorrow!! I mentioned we are walking for cancer research and they asked for our link. ❤️

Buen Camino.

I woke this morning with the news that our family’s Scottish Terrier died. She got suddenly ill and the decision was made to let her go peacefully. To be fair she was William’s pup. She loved him so much.

So today’s walk was spent with a lot of reflection on Piper and her personality. She was fiercely independent and at the same time very much wanting companionship. Maisie our Airedale died a couple of years ago and I’m surprised that Piper lived this long. But that is due to Jim Freeman and his wife Paulette taking such good care of her. I’m also happy that William was able to spend several months with Piper.

While spending time reflecting and crying I fly a cleansing happening. I told William I would light a candle for all of us and for Piper. We came to this rock pile and cross and there were two candles one big and one small. Like it was meant for Piper and Maisie. ❤️❤️‍🩹 I believe they are reunited.

We are staying in Hontanas which is fun. The albergue is nice, the staff super friendly!! And as usual we have met more pilgrims. Albert from the Netherlands, Jan from Sweden, Hannah from Ireland, Sandra from Germany and Luca from Italy. (Oops no photo maybe at dinner)

Tomorrow we have a very short day. Hope you are well. photo dump…