It was really cold when we left Astorga this morning – like below freezing, see your breath type of cold. Fortunately, the sun was shining and, while things never super warmed up (mitts on until lunch), it was a glorious day.
I think the best part of the Camino starts upon leaving Astorga, mostly because you start the trek into the mountains. It is sooo lovely. The path is like walking in cottage country in Ontario (rocky a la Canadian Shield) and the mountains are ablaze with yellow and purple flowers.
So yes, I did sing the entire soundtrack of The Sound of Music (technically the stage version with Mary Martin as Maria and the 2 songs that were in the play but did not make it to the movie – that’s the LP that Mom & Dad had and we grew up listening to). And with the purple headed mountains I was looking at, All Things Bright & Beautiful was also pretty much on repeat in my head.
I also did a whole lot of reminiscing about childhood fun at Birch Point Lodge because the terrain is so similar and the air felt like a Canadian Thanskgiving weekend most likely spent with our Follett cousins at Grandma Gould’s house on Lake Kashagawigamog (and I think most of you actually know my amazing Aunt Margaret who is still quite the lady at 92!). It’s interesting, but not surprising, that those childhood days at BPL and the wonder and sheer abandon we experienced the world with then, was referenced by many of you in the lovely notes you sent at the end of my Camino last year. Cousin Beth – you will be delighted to know I chuckle every time I look at the picture you sent of you, Diane and me on the cabin steps at Birch Point – and I think the 3 of us are glad that Stan, Peter and Tom never saw it before really getting to know us!
Anyways, I am rambling. We pressed on an additional 5km straight uphill at end of day today (total distance of 26km) so we can get to the Cruz de Ferro very early tomorrow – and then work our way gently down the long and steep downhill. Many other pilgrims have had the same idea so we are in a VERY simple but cozy and delightful albergue for the evening. We are on the second floor – which means mattresses on the floor and really scary stairs up (seriously, I am terrified of open stairs and these are open, narrow, steep and rickety). A delightful young English lad, Patrick, is with us and I think I may have to play an old lady pity card and ask him to carry my knapsack down for me in the morning!
Camino 2017 - the sequel 