Day 3 – April 19 – Two pilgrims journeyed on

We started today in a truly bittersweet way – by saying adios to Laura while also celebrating her tremendous strength and perseverance in travelling more than 200 miles on the Camino.  When I arrived in Burgos on Sunday and saw the condition of her feet I was truly scared – so terribly beat up.  I have no idea how she walked so steadily with us these past 2 days.  Last night she made the only decision truly available, to journey home.  Yet again a very clear reminder that your feet are always the random factor in long distance walking.

Once we pulled ourselves together (and we had to “re-pull” a few times throughout the day) we enjoyed a lovely walk of approximately 24km. The sky was a beautiful blue again – hard to imagine the difference year over year. As I look back at last year’s post for this day the title was “Mud” and the pictures were pretty gruesome.

We commenced the day with a rather brisk cardio workout – a 1km march up a 20 degree incline hill (not exaggerating and the sign post warned us of the grade) followed by a 300 metre down at the same grade.   I trek up hills like a Billy goat so generally make it to the top ahead of Rosemary (which is why I have so many pictures of her coming up a hill – unfortunately the morning ones are always a little hard to make out as we’re walking east to west). Rosemary is much more fleet of foot than I, so she can kill a hill on the way down and waits for me at the bottom. Relatively complementary walking styles, including a fairly consistent cadence on the flat (years of walking together from our apartment to the university).

About mid-way through the day we came upon a small stone chapel surrrounded by lavender in bloom. I remember how beautiful the structure was from last year – this year it was open and we were able to go in. It was wee, but inside was one of the Sisters who offered us coffee, tea and cookies – all for support with no payment expected. How lovely!  I have attached a picture of the interior below.

We also saw our first stork in a church steeple today. I know I will see them by the dozens every day from here on in, but they still thrill me every time.

Throughout the day we have hop-scotched with Joy from Australia who was with us last night and has joined us again this evening. Patti from Toronto is next door and the 4 of us will have dinner together this evening.

Tomorrow will be Rosemary’s first step on this last half of the Camino (we are in Fromista where she left from last year). We are both excited. Her feet are not perfect but are looking good! Wish us well!!!