Day Eight - Arzua - Rua

Slept well!!  Pleased to find that limbs still actually work!  Nothing so daunting today as yesterday's marathon, today a 'comfortable' twelve and a half mile walk to take us one day nearer to Santiago :)  We enjoyed a cloudless blue sky all the way on our Camino today.  Again we were treated to lovely countryside, the sunlight dappled on us as we walked through a forest of tall eucalyptus trees, their branches shading us from the intense heat of today! It was beautiful!

The Camino path seems to be getting busier with even more pilgrims/walkers as we are getting closer to Santiago!   One of the walkers a girl about Becky's age seemed to fall into step for a while, and I discovered she came from Dundee!  We had a short exchange, but later when we had stopped for a rest and drink, I bumped into her again!  We chatted!  She so wanted to walk the Camino she decided to sell her flat and car, resign from her job, and just walk and take as long as it took!   She joined the Camino at St Jean Pied de Port on the 1st April and has been walking six days every week.  I asked her about blisters!  Personal I know, but this is a shared topic on the Camino.  She said she had suffered with them after her first week of walking, and discovered that it was caused by wearing socks that were too thick, and carrying a backpack that was too heavy!  This combination seemed to cause her blister problem, and once she had changed these two things she became blister free!  :). I admired her, she was travelling on her own, and now she was getting near to Santiago she felt that she really didn't want to get there because it would herald the end of her Camino!  She hadn't booked anything up, just stopped and stayed in places available!  Along the Camino, there are many places for pilgrims/walkers to stay very cheaply in Alberges.  Her other decision was to walk no more that 25 kilometres a day, but as she is got nearer to Santiago, she has reduced to 20 kilometres a day, so as to  extend her experience.  After Santiago she plans to continue to Finistere on the Spanish Coast and believed by the Romans to be he end of the world!

Meeting fellow walkers is an integral part of the Camino experience.   Lost in my own reverie, singing along the way, (the 'rhythm of life' :) ) I was joined by another voice!!  One of two American ladies from California fell into step next to me!  We then spent quite some time chatting and singing along the way! I felt very re-energised by this!  Especially as I discovered a common interest in art history!

Today's high temperatures have enforced a more leisurely pace, and required that ice cream be consumed at regular intervals!!  ;)   

Our hotel tonight is quite isolated in a hamlet, I was really pleased to see a double bed and a bath :)   We relaxed outside under white cotton sail like drapes enjoying a long cool drink, our meal was excellent,  we both chose Galician Hake, it was too good to top with any dessert!!   

The heat of the day had taken it's toll, and so an early night!  Sadly due to a local fire we have no internet or phone connections!!   Writing this offline and will be posted when possible!

Tomorrow is our last day of walking!  We only have approximately twelve more miles before we reach Santiago!  Planning for an early start in an attempt to beat some of the heat of the day!