Day 31: Arzua to Pedrouzo.

The Camino is coming to the end. Last stop before Santiago will be Pedrouzo. It’s a 20 km walking day with little ups and down. The day is sunny and pleasant. The humidity in air hints of thunder storms and I see the clouds rising in the distance. Any rain will be later. I depart at 7:45am after a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon at my Pension. It was a nice surprise when I was asked if I wanted eggs scrambled or fried. It’s Sunday, so I didn’t want to miss out on a good start to the day.

Today I run into the same group of people all day on the Camino. It’s an opportunity to say hello again, and maybe goodbye before Santiago tomorrow. I take 3 short rest stops and order coffees, no lunch until I arrive in Pedrouzo. I walk with the Canadians for an hour, then the Ukrainians, and afterwards by myself. It’s a nice end to the Camino for me.

Today’s walk is unremarkable otherwise. I’m feeling that my body is tired but I’m not. I’m lifted up today by the energy on the Camino with the larger crowds of pilgrims on the trails. It’s heavy traffic, people walking faster to arrive at the final destination, Pedrouzo, before a short 20 km walking day to Santiago tomorrow. I’m ready to finish this. I had thought a few days ago in Sarria of skipping it and taking a bus but then, no, I’ve come this far and I couldn’t forgive myself if I had taken the wheel assisted way out. No, my feet, legs, hips, back are all strong. It is my plan tomorrow to leave Pedrouzo early in the morning, 5am, in the dark and walk the final 20kms.

I arrive in Pedrouzo at 12:15pm, surprised I made it here this early. My Albergue/Pension doesn’t open until 1:00 for check-in, so I take up a seat at the bar/cafe next door. It’s Sunday, the bar is open and I order a beer, which comes with a very tasty Pintxo of cooked salmon and potatoes in a broth. Either I was hungry or it was truly delicious. My Canadian pilgrim friends, Gord and Michelle walk by, ask if the place is good and they sit. A second beer is ordered as they sit. Gord likes to talk, I think it’s a nervous thing because he doesn’t like silence. I don’t mind his constant chatter because it makes it easy on me not to think of things to say. Gord and Michelle are nice people. I may have said this before but there seem to be nothing but nice people on the Camino.

I receive a text from New Jersey Rob, he made it to Santiago, and sends a picture. I text him back, “congratulations man, great accomplishment.” He responds, “thank you brother.” Rob felt like a little brother to me, and we had some good conversations about life in general. He’s had some tough times and I know he is here to work them out. Rob is good people too. I hope to see him tomorrow before he is off to his home town in Spain.

As I sit here writing this, for those of you reading my blog, I hope you have enjoyed it. I have a lot in life to be thankful, good people, great job, and past/present work colleagues/friends, loving family and the patience of my life partner Roberta who encouraged me to take this journey for a third time. She could have easily said something like “again?” But no, she loves me and I love her and we support each other. Thank you is an understatement.

Please enjoy the pictures of the day:

Departing Arzua

Camino marker noting 38kms to go

The early morning trail

Trail signage

Views of the countryside

Cows laying in the pastures

Farm cat

Trimmed trees

A bagpipe playing his music

Arriving at my Pension in Pedrouzo

A monument to a pilgrim.

New Jersey Rob in Santiago de Compostella.