I had my moisture-wicking shirt and jacket on for the whole day, as it was gray and overcast. I'm just grateful to God that it didn't rain.
Even without rain my jacket was full of moisture, due to the humidity.
In the mornings the humidity really brings out the smells if the earth. I am not speaking of manure, but rather just the smells that you don't notice without humidity.
There were no towns to pass through for the first 7.5 miles, so it was just walking by farms and livestock on beautiful country trails, like this one:
I had to be alert as the Camino does have some junctions with some variant routes. If you're not careful, you can end up on a completely different trail, and perhaps end up in Switzerland or Italy!
At the 7.5 mile mark I arrived in the hamlet of Bach, and decided to have my standard lunch of a third of a baguette, dried sausage, and an apple. The sun did poke his head out around this time for about fifteen minutes.
In the town of Bach is a seemingly popular restaurant (in Europe, a good restaurant will draw for miles). I really was tempted to go to that restaurant and have a five-course meal. But then I thought about those who made the pilgrimage in centuries past. I don't think they would have chosen a five-star restaurant on the way to Santiago de Compostella! Somehow that made my bread and dried sausage taste better.
On leaving Bach a family was eating their Sunday dinner on the porch. They wished me a «Bonne route !»
Following that town there was nothing but country trails for the remaining 6 miles of travel to Poudally.
Some of you readers have e-mailed me or posted comments about loneliness. Sure, walking alone can be lonely. But I never walk alone! God the Father is directing this pilgrimage from start to finish, providing so many serendipitous moments each day. Jesus is at my side constantly, helping me carry my backpack just like Simon of Cyrene helped carry his cross. The Holy Spirit is filling me with his gifts, especially wisdom, knowledge and courage (fortitude). Mary, the Mother of God is along, giving me her maternal love. .Also, my deceased dad is making this pilgrimage with me, as is my Guardian Angel (who has worked overtime in keeping me from sprained ankles and broken legs), my patron saint, St. Joseph (on whose feast day I was born fifty years ago), and all the men and women who have made this pilgrimage over the centuries, and all those who wanted to but couldn't for whatever reason. So I'm really not alone -- it just appears that way. But I'm in good company -- the best, really!
This has been a golden opportunity to reconnect with God in a powerful way via prayer. In fact, what else am I going to do but talk to God all day?!
I have had to rely on God for everything -- because there are so many things that can go wrong every day. I am learning the importance of trusting God all over again..
Each day I pass by dozens of farms and many farm animals. I especially love the horses, ponies and donkeys, who seem to have such nobility. They stand and peer off into the horizon, as of they are contemplating the higher things in life.
I finally arrived at the gîte in Poudally at 3:15 in the afternoon, just in time to do laundry, take a shower, write a blog, and rest a bit before supper at 7:15.
The gîte is in the middle of nowhere. It was an old house that was renovated by this French couple to provide hospitality to pilgrims and other visitors. It's very modern and spacious, yet warm. Too often the pilgrim forgets the many gîte proprietors who provide so much in the way of hospitality.
Sometimes when you lace up your hiking boots in the morning you just never know what type of surprises God is going to throw your way today. That's sure true of this day!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
