6 October.-poblacion de campo to calzadilla de la cueza (32k)
Sleep was OK, still needing chest elevated, but overall much better
Blister or tape hurt, I think tape.
As I left, I roved old, applied1" clear tapeX,
At town before carrion del los condes, at 9k everything feels v fine. Just six to next village, but thn +16k to the next. Not sure what to do, may be have big lunch, rest & go OR check in early, pop blister, cool a meal.
Met Bodi & Kuji ? from Auckland. He deloped muscular deteriotation syndrome 5 years ago (est 67) but pills ("half my pack weight") & exercise he is getting on. 4 children one w/ CFS lives with them, another works from home, a third son is cook in the Aust mines. Daughter is lawyer working for the nz crown. They ran book, papers, cigar shop before retiring. Lovely.
A camno observation: coming into the village where I had a coffee today, with 200m to go I was a big bear of a pilgrim ahead. As I neared I noticed her waddle leg to leg, with a slow gait, her clothes were shawls & a wrap, loose fitting, she used sticks, but had a string bag holding her gear. She looked the real deal, a hard egg. As I passed she shuffled with a Bluetooth speaker strung around her neck, and wore a pissed off expression. Just then two lairy hikers overtook me, smelling of aftershave. A little aheah, their loud banter continued, but they stopped & flexed limbs waiting on a mate. A show of ego.
We four found a shop for coffee, tookna few snaps & headed off. After stopping I typically begin a little slow & ramp up. Low & behold, these fellows are just ahead, holding my pace. As I warm up I consider overtaking but the egoclash would be deafening, so I made a video & said the rosary. Another village was 7-8k ahead, I sat back and enjoyed the low sunlight.
Literally, as we, them three & I entered the village who should be arriving just ahead? You guessed it, Bear Lady. I really wanted to encourage her & waded in behind as she was again adjusting her speaker, wearing that don't ask grimace. Its a great example of how getting along on the Camino is not about speed, its about hours walking. Do the hours.
At Carrion de les Condes, I found groceries & had little lunch this park. I feel refuelled & decide to carry on, a tough afternoon as happens. Long, straight, featureless. No more to say.
I'm finally here at 16:00hrs, vertually nonstop since 6am; 10hrs on the hoof less two brief pauses. Relieved, I'm aware the next day will pass halfway.
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