Day 7 Los Arcos - Viana

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Thanks to those who pointed out that ibuprofen was in fact neurofen, just to make it quite clear Fiona was taking 800 mg capsules named ibuprofen as apposed to neurofen which has a different dosage - I think. Who cares anyway. Today 2 neurofen but in pretty bad pain by 15km.

As per yesterday's blog we said goodbye to yvette and mike. Saw Mike at breakfast this morning, he was pretty sad heading back to the States but had really enjoyed the experience and was coming back as soon as he could.

Fiona got off to a ripping start and knocked out the first 7km in just over an hour - might just explain the pain at 15km but there is no way I am going to make that comment being the loving and supportive husband that I am!!

Today we could for the first time see the village in front that we were heading for. We have decided we don't like this because it seems to take forever to arrive. 5 or 6 Km's takes forever when you can see it coming in a straight line.

Because we are travelling a little slower and not as far as our previous companions we are finding that we are now meeting a new group of travellers some that we have met before who were going much less distances each day and some who are on a mission. One lady from the Bay Area on the west coast of the USA is doing 30km each day, her husband is doing summer school at Cambridge while she walks the Camino.

It is pretty amazing, every person has their own story and they are so ready to share it. We all have one thing in common - the Camino. It is hard to explain but we each have our own pain and share the trail for a short or long period together, everyone understands each other regardless of age, gender or race. the Camino peaked at 250,000 for the year of 2010 which is about half the number of pilgrims who travelled the Camino each year in the Middle Ages. No books, iPhones or Internet to help you on your way just a wish to walk this path to the end in Santiago. The path is through some of the most beautiful countryside in Spain and quite different to what we expected. It is green, tidy and totally friendly - twice now we have had a car stop to tell us we went the wrong way and put us back on the straight and narrow.

Fiona's Dad passed away 5 years ago today. We popped into a cemetery on the path today and met a lady tending her husbands grave who passed away today 12 years ago. The message above the entrance says "I once was what you are now, one day you will be what I am now"

Arrived in Viana around 3.30, a beautiful 12th century village. We checked into our amazing hotel which had the first bathtub we have seen since we started. Fiona had a long soak to sooth her aches and pains.

An amazing day - we can check out anytime we like as it is quiet at the moment. Have decided to slow down for two days to catch our breath. We are going to do 12 km each day so tomorrow will be a leisurely start and an early finish. Our hope is that we will get to Burgos next Tuesday which was always our goal for this trip.

Catch up tomorrow.

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