It was a cold and misty morning when we set off. The headtorches were on and the pace was fast to warm up. Our challenge for today was to get as many stamps as possible, as our albergue will be 10km short of Santiago.
We checked every church on the way, stopped for multiple breakfasts. The sun was doing it’s best to burn off the mist and it finally succeeded as we arrived in Arzua.
Up to this point the route had been undulating with some vicious inclines. However once out of Arzua it was easy going.
As we were going along one section four pilgrims on horseback passed us. They were all abreast taking the full width of the path. I stepped onto the banking over a ditch. Big mistake, I pulled something. I had a sharp pain behind the knee and my hamstring was tight.
At the next cafe we stopped so I could apply the kinesiology tape and start my pain medication by having a beer.
We continued on for about 100m and I was still suffering, so I had to stop for another beer. It wasn’t the fact we came across a cafe that brews their own beer and it was decorated with sculptures made of empty bottles.
After making friends with two dogs, we continued on. (The pain was easing, so my treatment was working) about 1km on Sandra said she needed the toilet, so we had to stop for another beer.
While we were here, JP was not far behind so we continued to the next bar and stopped for another glass of pain medication so he could catch up!
At this point we were still 18km short of Lavacolla and it was 4pm! Luckily my leg wasn’t hurting anymore so we picked up the pace.
The light was fading as we skirted around Santiago airport and it was headtorches again as we arrived at our albergue. We ordered a pizza delivery before retiring for the night.
Tomorrow Santiago.
Stu's Camino 