So THIS is the Pilgrim experience

Today was a long hard slog.  At 26 km, it is the longest walk we've had.  And this is also the first day that the elements were against us. We started out shortly after seven and a light mist; after less than 2 km we hit 1050 m of 12° ascent followed economic her later by an 18° decent over 350 m.

And then the mist turned into rain, and wind.  And the damp and the chill go through everything.

And then the cream soup that I had at lunch reacted badly with my lactose intolerant body. The last 6 km were painful in a truly unique way and seriously diminished the fun quotient.

But there were some truly lovely sights – the canal system near Fromista; The stark landscapes, followed by treed areas; ancient churches and refuges.

One commentator refers to the Meseta as a trial of the soul because of its tedium – perhaps, but the walking, except for the first, is much more regular and easy. Except when the wind gusts at 60 to 80 km an hour.

And what do you think of this statue of Jesus?

Today's Music:  Schubert Ave Maria (A truly overworked piece of music sung badly at too many weddings and funerals, it was piped into the dormitory this morning as Reveille)

Today's Paces:  36,935

Tomorrows Prayer Intentions:  My EfM group who meet on Mondays (Jim, Shelley, Debbie, Melinda, Colleen, Maggie, and Dawn, who is a great mentor)