And now it's raining walnuts

The Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) is one of the emotional high points of the Camino. It is the highest elevation of the walk at slightly over 1,500 meters and is marked by a plain iron cross atop a 15 meter pole set in a steadily increasing mound of stones, rocks and other items that dates back to the ninth century. Custom holds that as pilgrims leave their rock in place they are unburdening their souls and consciences.

I was there at 08:00 this morning just at dawn.  There was only one other person there, who kindly consented to take my picture as I was kneeling there placing the brick that I had brought from home. 

After the cross, not only was my bag lighter but it seemed my footsteps were too--partly because it began the long downhill towards Ponferrada, but for me, marked my entry into the final phase of the Camino.

And the mountains were glorious!  Every time I rounded a bend, there was another gorgeous sight...I was quite smitten with the panorama function on my phone!

And now I'm in the municipal Albergue of San Sebastián, sitting in the courtyard under a walnut tree listening to the magpies cackling, and every time there is a slight gust of wind, it rains two or three nuts literally falling out of their husks.

Today's Music:  The Blue Green Hills of Earth (Missa Gaia, the Paul Winter Consort)

Today's Paces: 24,369

Tomorrow's Prayer Intentions:  the University of King's College Chapel, especially Fr Gary Thorne, during the external review process