Number one.. lanky couple, the lady donned a black rain jacket, had thick, long, tight curly hair and black framed glass. I’ve seen them on and off for the last week, always hurrying off, always with their collar turned up against the wind and the rain…
We met the Portuguese trio three days ago at our accommodation. One gentleman and two ladies walking to Santiago from Orense with the support of their own car. They would drive and park the car leaving their luggage there, walk for the day, then call a taxi, drive back to collect the car and luggage and repeat for the next day. They are our age, all three from Porto, all speak English, they shared their muesli bars with us, the gentleman offered to shop for us if we had a need. Each day that we see them it’s like seeing an old friend, surprised and happy to see each other. One of the ladies has not been feeling well and spent the night in hospital on a drip… I hope she is all right!
The Australian couple, Bev and Robert from Sydney… a couple of race horses… they have been walking La Via de la Plata and can’t wait to finish… 30+ kilometre days with very little support. We shared lots of Camino stories over a bottle of wine.
Today we met a Belgian who started from Antwerp 1st March. He has been walking a very long time and is looking forward to meeting up with his son.
Also today a Canadian lady who has recently walked the Santiago to Finisterre route.. apparently uninteresting, Finisterre to Muxia was more interesting… on this stretch she has met very few pilgrims.
Three middle aged men have been staying at the same places so we see them in the afternoon, the dinner and breakfast… I’m guessing perhaps German.. they spoke a little English and seemed to find the going tough!
Two ladies, both German, one of which had driven around Australia stood out for their joviality.
Mother and son… were also German and were over the moon collecting stamps for their “credentials”.
The smoker that passed us this morning is an anomaly… it cannot be “doing it tough” as you stroll forward, smoking and staff in hand making his way towards Santiago. Are we all like that? Somehow trying to expiate our sins!
Then there are the bar tenders and wait staff, hostel, hotel, albergue hosts who greet us with open smiles… “tell me what do you want? drink, food, toilet… stamp?” These seem to replace the open church and chapel where you could walk in, sit for a while, maybe praying and getting a stamp… We have not found even one open chapel/ church this entire week!
pindun on the road to Santiago de Compostella 