Day 83/Day 84....definitely getting weary...

Saturday

Enjoyed an easy walk today, left hospital de Orbigo and walked to Astorga, ate lunch with other pilgrims, I think there must be people from every corner of the globe here. After lunch walked to Santa Catalina de Samoza and met Simon from Oz, he was a right character and I enjoyed his company, best of luck mate. Then got chatting to Viatka from Croatia who was great company too and told me all about her country, she works as a tour guide and knows everything worth knowing. Tonight I'm in a good albergue and I'm looking forward to getting back walking in the mountains tomorrow.  The weather has turned much colder now, but I guess that is much the same as home, as it's heading towards the middle of November.  Walked about 15 miles.



Sunday

Left Santa Catalina d Samoza and walked the 18 miles to El Acebo, started off with the gang and then walked until lunchtime on my own.  Met up with Cyril and Viarta again.  Enjoyed a beautiful walk through the mountains, amazing scenery and views, we're about 4500 feet up, and today has really lifted my spirits, but this last leg is so difficult, I have lost too much weight now and I'm looking forward to a break from the walking a eating lots of food and putting a bit of weight on!  Never thought I would say that.  I only have about 120 miles to walk now to Santiago, so I should manage that in a week easy and the pressure is off.
This is another fantastic albergue in the mountains, and there are wolves living in this area, that would really make my night if I am lucky enough to hear them howling.....

Day 82.....about 190 miles to Santiago

My bunk was surrounded by snorers last night, the less said about sleep the better.  Anyway had a good walk from Leon to Hospital de Orbigo today which is another 22 miles covered.  The guys in main group set off at a very fast speed this morning so I stayed back and walked with Seonja again, as she is finding the pace hard to keep up with and was feeling discouraged.  I didn't want to leave her walking on her own again.  I walked in my boots today because although the crocs are easy on my feet, my ankles were getting sore without the support of the boots - so I've had to trade off one problem to avoid another problem.  I hope my feet will last out for the last bit, I only have 190 miles to go, which doesn't seem much after the miles I have walked since leaving Scotland.
We are now leaving the Meseta area and are heading up into the mountains again.  I'm meeting lots of nationalities from all over the world and  they are a good crowd and good company but you see new and different faces everyday, it is so busy now.  This albergue that I am in tonight is amazing building, it belongs to the church.  The rooms are smaller with just 6 bunks in each dorm.  I made my own pasta with choriza for tea and I am now relaxing and resting my feet, another early night but hopefully not a long wakeful night.

Day 81...my flights are booked, no pressure!

Felt wrecked this morning, couldn't sleep a wink, a Spanish guy snored all night.... now I realise how annoying it is for other folk if you snore.  I know more than anyone you can't help it but it is awful.  Anyway, walked with Seonja from South Korea from El urge Ranero to Leon.  I walked 25 miles altogether and it was perfect walking conditions, my feet are sore but like the saying goes - no pain, no gain.  I feel I must gained a lot from this walk.  I found a burger king, to be honest it was tastier than the pilgrim menu and I felt really ready for a burger.
Keith has got my flights home - and no, I am not walking back - booked for the 19th November, so I will have finished this walk well ahead of schedule, just better make sure I get to the airport on time!  Anyway, thanks Keith - looking forward especially to seeing wee Ethan.
I'm in the albergue for the night, staying in a dorm with 20 other guys, oh oh could be a few snorers tonight....yawn.

Day 80.....these crocs are made for walking

The day started off very misty, but cleared up later and it was a lovely day for walking.  I didn't put my boots on, my feet are really sore and now they feel too tight.  So I put on my crocs, when I was here on the Camino in March I did most of the walk in these crocs, once your feet are really sore, they are the best and most comfortable footwear - as long as it stays dry, of course.  The other good thing about them is they are so light and have been no problem to carry - I've had to ditch loads of stuff along the way but I'm glad I kept the crocs.
The breakfast at Calzadilla was poor - just croissant and coffee and I had to walk 12 miles to get to a shop in Morantinos where I bought some food.  Then I walked another 13 miles to El Burgo Ranero and I am in a great auberge tonight - I made myself pasta and stuffed my face with loads of fruit and chocolate. The wood burning stove is lit here and it is really cosy after a good walking day.  For anybody who wants me to add up, I walked 25 miles today in perfect walking conditions.  

Day 79...that's me over halfway on the Camino.

A lovely bright sunny morning, but I wasn't taking any chances and put on my walking trousers, after getting soaked yesterday. I left Fromista at 8am and arrived at Calzadilla at 4pm - I walked 24miles today. By mid day I had hit the halfway mark, I have walked 250 miles in 11 days and only 250 to go,  wuha! 

 Found a good albergue - great atmosphere here. Went out  for a drink to local bar and a couple of Spanish pilgrims were playing guitar and they were really good. I met  Jack from NZ, who's  walking the Camino carrying his guitar, he played a little blues stuff tonight.  Had a pilgrim dinner, to be honest I'm getting tired of eating fish,  I really fancy toast and beans, or even better, a big breakfast in the Tilly Tearoom!

Day 78....another hard day

Today was a hard day for walking, wet and very windy.  Got soaked through from the knees down,  I walked 22 miles from Hontanas to Fromista where I have stopped for the night.  Most of the walk was along a high flat plain with a few steep climbs along the way.  Really glad to get to auberge and have a hot shower and change into dry clothes.  

Meeting different people everyday and seeing new faces, seems to get busier as I go along.

Day 77.....Hasta la Vista, Eric.

Decided I needed to have an easier walk today, and walked slower, so unfortunately had to say goodbye to Eric, as he wanted to press on as usual.  Go speed, Eric hasta la vista my friend. Walked 19 miles today from Burgos to Hontanas and I'm in the Meseta now - 800 metres up , but its is flat.  Great views today and lovely weather.  I'm in an auberge now - only 5euro and had the pilgrim menu - 9 euro.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening.

Met lots of pilgrims walking along the way, but I just walked on my own - preferred it that way today...yeehaw.