A Spiritual Walk

Despite all the food, drinking and fun, the Camino is a spiritual walk for the four of us.
Walking along some of these very old paths, you hear the echos of the millions of people that have walked the Way before. The well-trodden earth, very worn stones, trees that must be hundreds of years old-that people have touched,  stone walls that feel that they have been there for millennia, all have absorbed the essence of the spiritual walk of those by-gone days and the pilgrims gone-by.
Walking with friends and loved ones, discussing the trials and joys of life, exposing your soul to someone, all contributing your essence to the environment and to the internal and external journey that is the Way.

Historical Trust?

We came across this place and discussed amongst ourselves, why they had left the old front wall of the house in-place. The only conclusion we could come-up with was perhaps that the local Heritage Trust had insisted that the front of the building was to remain, (not sure why or what significance it had), so they knocked the rest down then proceeded to build the rear.
The thing is, the rear building looks almost as old as the front.
We have seen lots of construction, simply abandoned. Some of it like this, that must have stopped 10+ years ago.
The bricks intending to close-in the top floor were left up there - it looks like the workmen simply walked off the job and never returned, very sad, but one of hundreds of houses and businesses along the Camino.

Pilgrims

It was a cold and misty morning when the pilgrims ventured out,
Ne'er a dog was even stirring, the pilgrims marched on, stout.
As the mists cleared mid morning and the view became more clear,
The pilgrims thought of lunchtime and a cool refreshing beer.

The next morning was much warmer, with beautiful vistas too,
As they walked along the farmyards, cautious of pats of poo.
They marched on boldly Westward, where venturers and pilgrims go,
Watch out for the cyclists, dodging pilgrims to and fro.

As they neared the city named, Santiago de Compostela,
They spied the man from Finland, what a hardy fella.
A Brit, family and two Mounties, were seen on many accounts,
A great bunch of pilgrims, to walk the Way that counts.

Arthur Dunn...2014.

Daily Serenade

Since we left Astorga, some two weeks ago, we have had a daily serenade by a Cuckoo bird. Sometimes to the right, but mostly to the left. It has followed each day and has kept out of view, but still kept pace with us. I am sure it is the same one that followed us in 2010 again in 2012 and also this time.
The past two days, the Cuckoo has been accompanied by armies (collective noun) of frogs. There has been a lot of ponds and waterways, with the noise being a good indicator of the environmental health of the region.
We have also been amongst other pilgrims, some noisy, but not anywhere as bad as the racket leaving Sarria. The pilgrims seem to come in waves and one can be walking along and not see anyone else, except our group. If you stop for a coffee, you can be inundated with 50-60 all at once, so if you find a place without anyone there, it is either not a good place to stop for refreshment, or you are between waves....where one has left and another is approaching.
Many times since Sarria, we have had to stop and let the "Sunday Walkers" go by, so we can have some solitude whilst walking, otherwise the noise can be very aggravating, unlike the call of the Cuckoo and the croaking of the frogs.

More Walking Interests

We passed a relatively new house, just outside Arzua.
By Spanish country standards, it looked quite new and modern...(with a pinch of salt).
The technology for the remote for the garage door would make an interesting assessment.

Walking To Arzua

Mostly a walk along tree-lined paths this morning, unfortunately still within earshot of main roads.
I suppose you cannot expect much more, being so close to Santiago...just some 40km or so from the destination and a distance of 16km.

For those just joining the Blog, from the left, TL, Captain Fos, Compass and Ram.
Kluster is in hospital, having a hip replacement, replacement.

The Youngest Of The Bunch

Here we are at the 50km peg, unfortunately the 51km peg was conspicuous by its absence...in Melide somewhere, perhaps covered by a car, or they built a house over it.
Therefore, when we came across the 50km peg, Compass used his pole to create the one for 51.
Sorry Compass, we did look for it...all of us.

You will probably need to zoom-in on this photo