Camino 9: Arzua to Amenal (23km - 112km so far) Made 100km!!!!!

Camino 9.
Sunday, 13th October, 2019.

"To go on a pilgrimage is not simply to visit a place to admire its treasures of nature, art or history.  To go on a pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves, in order to encounter God where he [sic] has revealed himself [sic], where his [sic] grace has shone with particular splendour and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe."  (Benedict XVI, Nov 6, 2010).

From Fr Michael's daily reflections.

We celebrated Sunday Mass in the beautiful little chapel of the Pazo de Brendeso. 

Then off on our second last walking day, into light rain, which was quite pleasant. 

While my left knee was complaining on our rest day, it had settled down again for the walk. 

Veronica and Pat in the rain.

Veronica, Jan and Pat in the rain.

In this section of the road, the branches formed a protective roof overhead, providing shade in summer

and keeping (some of) the rain off us today.  I think cyclists have a harder time than walkers.  Some of 

the paths are very rough and rocky, and some of the hills are very steep, both up and down. 

These little raised, ventilated structures were used for drying grain. 

Words of wisdom along the way:

We had to press ourselves into the wet bushes to let these cows go past. 

This bar was adorned with hundreds (probably thousands) of empty bottles. 

No, I didn’t contribute to the decor. 

Maybe these flower containers were contributed by pilgrims. 

Having a rest.

Veronica on the track.

Stands of eucalyptus trees, grown for the wood pulp industry.

Can you see the profile of a face in the trunk of this old oak?  Veronica spotted it and we could all see it. 

One step after another. Again and again and again and ......

Chestnuts on the ground. Millions of them. 

At last we arrived at the lunch stop. Pat and Veronica and barebecued pork. 

Val ordered three servings for four of us, as she said the portions were very generous. 

We couldn’t finish them. They came to the table on this little stove which kept them hot. 
By the lunch stop, I had completed 100kms, my personal goal, but the gentle rain was quite easy 
for walking, so I decided to carry on for the final 12kms. 

Guillermo Watt was a 69 year old pilgrim who died on the track, just one day from Santiago de 

Compostela. 

Tall, straight eucalypts. 

One foot in front of the other.....

Veronica and Jammu in the rain. 

Still raining .....

Collingwood FC????

One foot in front of the other.....

Through the afternoon the rain became heavier, so the track became muddier. My shoes were 

keeping my feet quite dry, my snow pants were keeping my legs dry and my poncho covered the rest.  

So just keep going .....

..... and going.

Collingwood FC?

It was about 5.30pm by the time we trudged in to Amenal, almost the last of the group, 

exhausted, drenched and sore, but we made it!