Walking Solo from Melide to Arzua

Today was a bittersweet day for both Deb and I.  After we arrived in Melide, Deb confided in me that she could walk no further.  Her legs were done.

This part of the Camino is hard.  Up and down elevations of up to 720 meters!

She has done 7 days of trekking and now will taxi to the next town for the follow three days.

Today when I arrived, as I am still walking the Camino, she had booked us into the hostel, made my bed, (oh ya) and did all the laundry.

She ROCKS.

I found it difficult to find my way out of Melide.  It is a bigger town/city and the Camino markers were harder to spot.

Eventually I did and followed three French men along the Camino for about 3 kilometers.

Safety in numbers.

Again....which way to go.

The French men said to go right....so I did.

Everyone is covered with huge ponchos as it down poured almost the entire walk today.

Three and a half hours.....yikes.

I realized today that I haven't seen ANYBODY taking photos along the Camino.

Am I weird....don't answer that....lol.

But seriously....I want to remember every moment of this adventure...the good and the difficult.

Some familiar and favourite flora and fauna photos I took today.

This is an oasis in the middle of many kilometers of no cafes.

I love the little pink car in the back.

I purchased from her roasted chestnuts.  I LOVE these wee guys.

Italy and Spain always have people roasting them on the streets and selling them for practically nothing.

For a small cup of about 8-10...peeled too....one euro.

I looked it up, as I have seen them all over the Camino trail, and they are not tasty at all and can upset your stomach if eaten raw.

I got a wee bit lost today.  Only missed my Camino marker by about 200 meters.

Funny because it was just teaming down rain and cars were beeping their horns at me...they knew I was going the wrong way.

Love those Spaniards. 

Stopped only once for freshly squeezed orange juice, cappuccino and homemade lemon cake.

Three euros and twenty cents.

I looked like a drowned rat when I arrived.

More fields of eucalyptus trees.

I know I am getting close to them because I can smell their scent.

A very, very old Camino marker close to Arzua.

Met these two lovely ladies today.  We walked separate but together on the trail for almost 6 kilometers.

Finally we chatted and introduced ourselves and then I was in Arzua....for the night.

Marta, on the left, lives in Budapest, Hungary and Guillia, on the right, lives in Pisa, Italy.

Loved hanging with them for a rainy day on the Camino.

Love my blessed life.

From Misty to Sunny, Palas de Rei to Melide

We woke to a very misty morning with heavy fog everywhere.  It was beautiful.

A banana, pastry and cafe con leche and onwards we go.

As I do when I run, I look up and really try to see nature and the world all around me.

You might think taking pictures of mushrooms, animals and flowers are not all that interesting....but they are the journey....and they are everywhere I look.

Deb laughed today when I took my legs off my pants because it became quite warm when the sun came out.  I am thinking I look like a real pilgrim.

My constant companion...he truly is following me.

We became surrounded by a group of young people.  Not sure if it was a school trip but there were probably 30 + with adults.  How amazing would that be, at that age, to experience this?

My Robin pondering life.  He is soooooo beautiful.

These crosses/monuments dot the Camino.  They are referred to as Pilgrim Crosses.

This is the first medieval bridge we have come to.  Deb had it all to herself.

There was a long stretch of path, near to the road way, with these purple and yellow flowers.

I believe the purple is Heather.

A quaint stone hamlet.

Looks like home...a Birch field.

This fellow is used to attention.

Deb found a new friend.

I found my first fig tree since being in Spain this trip.

Reminded me to buy some at the grocer store to munch on.

I adore these.

Queen of the castle....oh ya....even in those shorts.

If you are an 'Outlander' fan, then you might also think, like me, this is an Ancient Stone Circle.

Is it me...or can you hear humming coming from the stone....

......DON'T TOUCH IT!

Our arrival in Melide with it's gorgeous medieval bridge.

Ponte Furelos is a 12th century Roman stone bridge.

Here comes Little Debbie....

Melide is famous for it's 'pulpo' or octopus.

I LOVE IT.

Deb tried it too.

Tastes a wee bit like lobster....kind of.

Be brave....try it...it won't kill you.

A change is coming.....