The days have lightened into a routine of packing and unpacking, get to the next town, have some chats with others from the hostels and then do it again.

The distillation of distance walking down to small patterns is part of the joy. Joy of feeling your body move. Joy to feel the miles fall away. And joy in the days’ pleasures as simple as as when you were a child.

Those days when you sleep deeply because of physical exertion.

We just finished Day 10 – a 12 mile hike from Rondela to Pontevedra Spain. The town calls to be explored and so, despite the distance covered, we will venture out. Please to wrap ourselves in its history, It’s late night dining and conversations unplanned.

Dinner starts about 9 pm or later! A bit of food comes with each beer or wine in Spain but in Portugal- the food set on your table will be charged to your bill.

Each hostel has been a little different but we are happy to be safe and lay down our heads on a comfy bed each night. There are some newer, more modular hostels now that give a bit more privacy than the big dorm rooms of the municipal hostels. Clean and very organized.

WiFi is everywhere and phone calls are minimally needed.

On Day 6, just before our very big hike/ climb up to about 1360 feet, we sent our packs ahead. We’ve continued to send them ahead each day and it has made the going more pleasant. Cost varies around 6 euros.

Tomorrow we expect rain but not much. The rest of the week shows increased rain so we will manage. It’s not much further and we will reach Santiago on Wednesday, October 30th. Then we too will be pilgrims who have made the journey like so many others.