One more day......

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Hi everyone,

Well it is hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day on the Camino.

The last few days we have walked through lovely country lanes often shaded by large eucalyptus trees. The fragrance has been amazing - especially after the rain. The countryside has not been anything spectacular - really not unlike N.Z.

On Tuesday we walked to Melide which is famous for their octopus dishes. You are right Janet - there was not much to see there but it suited us to stay the night. Ended up in a little pension but it was a bit of a ´dive´but at least had it´s own bathroom. Smelled very strongly of janola which I think was masking a different smell in the bathroom! At least it was quiet and we had a good night and apparently the albergue was not good. We had octopus for lunch. The whole octopus is cooked in a copper of boiling water, hauled out, cut up with scissors, placed on a wooden plate, sprinkled with oil and salt and there is your lunch. Marian and I shared a plate. Would not rave about it but good to have tried it.

At Arzua we had to wait for the albergue to open. We are away so early and the albergues don´t usually open until 1pm. It turned quite cold and I certainly needed my merino and my fleece on. Of course nothing is open around 3.30pm as they are all having their siesta.

Janet D. - yesterday we met a lovely young N.Z. couple - Pippa and Ryan. Pippa is from Kerikeri and her family - 7 children - all walked the Camino a number of years ago when the youngest child was 6!!! I think you may know them. The man from Kerikeri who wrote the book on the Camino is a friend and I think the father did his first Camino with him. They had walked from St Jean.

I saw some nice red flat shoes last night - 33 euros - so around $66 but the shop was closed by the time we finished dinner!!!!

Today we walked Arzua to Arca. Had a good night´s sleep and we were away by 7am - i.e. by the time I have tended my two blisters on my left foot!!!! Marian is a good nurse! Walked for almost 3 hours in quite heavy rain. By the time we stopped for coffee our shorts were quite wet but the rest of us - pack included stayed dry. Fortunately the last couple of hours were walked through the eucalyptus forest in dappled sunlight. However, in parts the path was completely flooded much to the great amusement of the group of French people behind me. My boots managed to stay relatively dry but Marian managed to get wet feet so it was the good old newspaper stuffed into them on our arrival.

We arrived at the albergue around 12 and it did not open till 1pm but it was sunny and there was a supermarket next door I was able to get bread and cheese from for lunch.

There are now many people on the walk. Lots of young European guys and it is a bit of a ´bun fight´to get into the albergue but this one has 100 beds. Marian and I are lucky to have 2 beds under a window - which opens - and is a little removed from the rest. Thank goodness this is our last night as the place is not really clean!!! Never mind it is a donation and we won´t be giving much tonight!!!!

Met up with Mary - the lovely NZ lady we met a week or so ago. She is with 4 other Aucklanders so will no doubt have dinner in Santiago with them tomorrow.

Mary and Bob - we hope the insense is burning when we go to Mass in Santiago. You were so lucky to be there Christmas Day.

At this stage we plan to arrive tomorrow in Santiago, find a pension to stay in and then on Saturday go to Mass. If the insense is not burning will try and go on Sunday.

Ella Rose - thank you so much for that lovely message you send from the family this morning.

Miss you all and hope that everyone is keeping well.

Mum, Dad, Richard, S & J will get a phone card tomorrow and call you guys in the next couple of days. Failing that will text number I am at and you could maybe call me.

Lots of love - Miss you all but looking forward to a few days in Barcelona and Singapore. I have to buy some new clothes as my shorts are way too big - not joking!!!!

Catherine-Anne xxxxxooooo

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Comments

[Janet Dalton]

Re: the Kerikeri couple etc
Yes, I do know who you are talking about - she is Pippi Hendel and I know her Mum (Tissy) and Dad (Pete) well, and also know the guy, Pete walked the Camino with, John McAnneney. You have both done SO well. Buy some more shoes, Catherine, as you know , they are so cheap and so smart! Mind your heads when they swing that big 'incense burner', at Mass in the Santiago Cathedral!!!!*** Have a safe journey home...via Barcelona and Singapore....Look forward to comparing notes with you both, on your return! Love Janet