A Heart, A Labyrinth, and A Double Bed All to Myself!

June 6 today... 32km today and I'm on schedule!!

Good morning. Another beautiful day on the Camino. 7:42 and I am just taking off from the Albergue. 33°F. The birds are chirping, the sky is blue with some clouds, it is indeed a day that the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it. I pray you all will also.

Just pulled this out and am saying good morning once again, the birds are chirping/talking to me... thank you God. So, a unique situation this morning: I was having a chocolate croissant for breakfast and some of the chocolate fell into my shoes. I should’ve thought of this a long time ago, it’s probably a good lubricant. Either that or a waste of chocolate. Time will tell. I just passed some cows as I was walking out of town... took a picture too.  Check out the heart pattern on the one! 

I came to a cross at the top of the hill... pretty sure it’s not the cross that Jean’s been talking to me about, but it is a nice memory for some. Took some pictures plus a couple pictures of the beautiful scenery. Truly a glorious day:  God really provides blessings every day... and this is no exception... more later.

I just took another picture of the mountains. They’re drawing near. I have walked through some kind of pine forest. Some are bushes, smaller than trees but also some pine trees that look like a money crop.  Saw some planted wheat or barley, I believe. Very nice up here... quiet, serene... I did pass a little self serve store with water and other things... I did not get anything. There is a labyrinth there that I walked ... that you walk into and then walk out of that you contemplate your faith... getting closer to God on the Camino and then getting closer to God on the labyrinth... kind of odd and kind a cool.

As I mentioned it was about 33° when I started... no breeze at all. Was relatively comfortable... warmed up quickly in my waterproof jacket. it’s getting a little breezy now it’s probably 36 or 38 but the breeze is pretty chilly. Hopefully it doesn’t freshen.

So I just finished walking through Astorga , a city of about 13,000 people.  It’s a really really nice city from what I saw... not near as large as León or big cities... but very nice and very friendly.  There was a nice town Square, many restaurants, hotels and albergues. I was tempted to stay there, but only about 11 or 12 km for the day, so that wasn’t a good option. The town has some magnetic attraction it seems. I am moving on. I have 20 more kilometers to go and I am already tired... my feet are a little tired also. But I will soldier on... I have a reservation at The Stone Boat... in Rabanal... 20 km. A fairly new place started by a lady from Key West Florida. The hotel only has three rooms... very intimate from what I’m reading... most hotels have no reviews on Camino Frances web site. This hotel has three or four reviews all very positive. I have quite a ways to go. With the Lords help I can do pretty much anything. The clouds seem to be increasing... someone said it’s supposed to rain today... still about 60% cloud cover and 40% blue sky... bit of a breeze out of the south five to ten knots maybe. I’m hoping for no rain.

I just went through another small town. I took a picture... don’t remember the name right now but you’ll see it. I’m now on a trail that follows a powerline. Reminds me a bit of the Cushman Trail. Clouds continue to build I put my rain fly on a bit ago. Still no rain and I’m hoping for none but I’m prepared just in case. I’m looking forward to the nice place to stay tonight. Still waiting to stop for lunch in the next town. I was tempted in the last town but I want to get a little further before I stop for lunch a bit later... 45 minutes I think. I want to be closer to the goal... maybe more than 50%. Blessings to all... bye from the Camino.

Weather continues to build... clouds and wind... wind and rain are not a good mix. I am continuing to look forward to tonight. Currently looking forward to a sandwich and a cold drink. Hopefully about 30 minutes or less. Later.

Now I am reading and fixing this up a bit. Checked in with Kim about 3:00. Very nice place and very nice folks here! I talked to Jean as I’ve been doing every day around this time:  It’s morning there just as I’m finishing up my walking for the day.  

I showered and talked a bit and then went for a beer and lemonade and a chicken tampenade... was good and then chocolate cake for dessert. I went to the church service... pretty packed... a bit of English but mostly Spanish. Chanting a lot... was quite enjoyable.  Then back to the hotel and a bit of wine and more conversation... now a call to my Sweetheart and then bed. First double bed in Spain... wishing Jean were here.

Night all and Buen Camino!

 Good Morning Cows!