There’s a saying that The Camino will provide. Nice, eh. Pragmatic me thinks the notion a little fanciful. I like to be prepared for eventualities in a scouting sort of way, I suppose. As I explained to John, back in my younger, pre-John days – yes, they are a thing – when I belonged to a tramping club, the great shame would not be to get lost in the New Zealand bush but to be lost and unprepared.
So we have a first-aide kit with us, practical in size, to cover likely eventualities such as blisters. You know the requirements: band-aides, tape, antiseptic, even antibiotics … just in case.
This morning I was taping up my foot when our room mate asked in halting English whether I have blisters. I nodded. She offered me her blister treatment, saying, it’s her last day today. In Belorado she catches a bus home to Madrid.
What she gave me is like a silicone gel which you tape to your foot. And, let me tell you, compared to the harsh reality of a burning sensation at every step it is like walking on air.
I only mention the blisters because, well, today The Camino did provide – I wouldn’t want anyone to think I have become obsessed with my feet! And, just so you know, at least in part thanks to walking on air – almost – things are no worse. The walk to VilaMayor del Rio was even enjoyable.
We crossed from La Rioja to the region of Castile y Leon.
The boundary between La Rioja and Castille y Leon.
According to our guide book we’ll spend at least half our walking time in this region.
Our albergue tonight is off the beaten track.
Tonight’s albergue
It’s a small family run business, not dissimilar to a farm stay. We’re enjoying the peace and quiet. The only down side is that reception is very poor so we’ve walked to a nearby restaurant (it’s reasonably flash considering this village has a population of 50) for a drink and to use their wifi.
Autumn is settling in. The afternoons are hot, the evenings cool and as you can see most of the crops are in. I haven’t seen any swallows for about three days, now. Maybe they have already headed south.
At the albergue there are peppers and beans drying in the yard.
Señora’s peppers
All along the way there are huge haystacks.
Can you spot John in this shot?
Where’s my back pack : travel theme, steps
Categories: Camino de Santiago, Europe, Spain
Jill's Scene 
I have missed your posts, being on the road myself, enjoying a week vacation in Mallorca. I am happy that the Camino provided and you got to walk on air.
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Are you still booking beds in advance? Or have the crowds dropped off now?
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Another fan of the peppers, maybe I can tie my chillies together like this and hang them up to dry!
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That blister solution sounds like a life-saver. I’m glad to know the Camino does provide! The views are so wonderful, Jill. Are you loving the walking? I won’t be able to follow you or comment over the next two weeks, as my husband and I are going to Budapest, Vienna and Prague, but I will certainly catch up with you when I return. I’m making notes on an Excel spreadsheet about the things you’re dealing with, so I can be prepared next year! I hope all goes well the next two weeks while I’m away. Can’t wait to catch up on my return home. 🙂
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Ah Prague! How wonderful. I’ve always wanted to go there. In two weeks time still be walking, Catbird. Have a wonderful trip.
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Glad the Camino provided 🙂 Love the peppers shot, really lovely.
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I’m enjoying following along the way with you! We’re having a grey day in Christchurch, so it’s nice to see the peppers drying in the sun. Buen viaje!
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J+J, you need not look search swallows any longer — they are well away and flitting around all the eaves of Te Awanga houses, mudying walls nicely ! Did neither/both of you climb atop one of those giant haystack for your siesta? Would be perfect place to loose that needle you no longer need for the blisters – ha !
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Love the sound of the blister gel! Sounds like a must for the first aid kit on this type of mission.
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Loving the senora’s peppers!
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