CAFOD questions:
How do you answer Jesus call to follow him in your life?
What could you do to help to build a world that reflects God's justice and glory?
I again set off later than the rest, choosing to have breakfast at the restaurant we had our evening meal at the night before. I started soon after 8:30am and it was not long until the path took me to Arzua filled with refugios and bars with the smell of coffee and breakfast emanating every few hundred yards. I fully expected to see the team enjoying breakfast in one of these - not to be. I continued along the way and eventually left the small town as the path headed for a wooded area I noticed a sock in the middle of the path. This was to be expected as pilgrims wash socks they ware the previous day and dry them over night and if not dry then the hang them to their ruck sacks in the hope that they would dry along the way. My thoughts went to the person who would have one less sock to ware tomorrow and although the thought of picking up a wet, sweaty, possibly bed-bug ridden sock repulsed me I thought I just needed to take it with me... Anyway as you can imagine my greetings to others on journey from then on included - "here mate you haven't lost a sweaty sock per chance?" as I waved the sock in the air in front of their faces. I have to say I've seen some faces pulled in my time but some of these really took the biscuit.
I pressed ahead through picturesque and undulating countryside, mainly through woods before crossing what looks like a major road development, that seemed to be cutting its way through some lovely countryside, before catching up to Christine a few km's before A Calzada. Christine and I walked together for a while before who continued the thoughts that she may have to reduce the distance she's walking - and I pondered doing likewise to make sure someone's close. I passed the Wills at Casa Calzada who said Nick was ahead. I pressed on to discover Nick waiting to be served at Bar Lino with an Austrian chap called Edwin (Ed). I'd met Ed the day earlier on my way through Melide with his wife who's Galician and her cosin from Mexico. Ed lives in Luco and speaks fluent English and Spanish. Ten minutes later Martin, Angela and Christine arrived, just as Nick was about to be served. Martin and Angela decided they'd investigate the next bar a few minutes walk onward, that is close by the river. Nick and I had refreshments together and started on our way again. Nick and I walked for a long time making good pace and chatting. But it was clear that he was in some discomfort, but liberally applying lubricant seemed to be helping. We happened to stop close by a farm, where there were a number of cockerels resplendent in the bright red colours and very aggressive toward each other. But also close by some wonderful flowers growing naturally along the forest paths.
We continued on our way making good progress when we came across James (from Bristol) who now lives in Madrid. James was having problems walking and it looked as if he were suffering from a form of cramp. Nick and I had promised ourselves a beer and so we stopped an the O Emplane with james. The more James explained his injury the more it sounded like an Achilles Tendon problem, so I advised great care in what he did and recommended seeking medical advice.
After our beers, Nick and I pressed on and before we knew it arrived at Santa Irene. A path took us under the main road to a private Albergue that looked idyllic - in it's own grounds, and very peaceful. We enquired but there were only two rooms at the in. We decided to press on to the municipal Albergue 100m on, but found that we were too early to book. Nick wanted to go on but at that I remembered Christine's suggestion and called her to see if she'd like to reduce her journey and stay at the idyllic location. To cut a long story short Christine and I booked into the Alberge Perigrinos and it was everything I had expected, great food, accommodation and superb grounds. It was slightly more expensive that the average but great value all the same and the best I stayed at including some of the hotels. It was there we met three German scouts, who joined us for dinner, Tony and Isla from Sweden, Robert from Canada who was completing the Camino from Le Puy in France and Fella - who I had noticed in conversation in Triacastella but our paths had not crossed since - originally from Kent, but now living in Barcelona. The meal was wonderful company great and the accommodation fantastic.
I considered the CAFOD questions, but could not come up with anything new - perhaps this may come later from the contacts I've made - perhaps Susan, the inspirational author, may hold the key ?
Pictures follow:
The unfolding story of Alban and his fellow CAFOD pilgrim's journey to Santiago de Compostela during September 2011
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