The countdown continues

In the Province of Galicia, each half kilometre (500 metres) is indicated by a stone marker, so you become very conscious of your approach to Santiago. 500 metres is about the same distance as a par five golf hole, so today I walked about fifty par-fives but without having to stop and hit the ball.  But with brief rests and beer (cerveza) breaks that's between six and seven hours' walking. 

And while I had planned on 22k today, circumstances changed my plan. At the Albergue this morning everyone else was awakened by some energetic Italians who decided to get up at 6:30 and be out the door before seven.  You've got to understand that it's not even dawn before 8:00 and the sunrise is around 8:30.  But I too dragged myself out of bed, packed up, pulled on my headlamp and set out around 7:15. 

Unfortunately, I missed an ambiguously marked left hand turn and ended up walking the better part of an hour going north instead of west -- I clued in that something was odd when the sunrise was on my right side instead of my back. 

This was one time I was really glad to have GPS on my phone.  Siri politely found directions to make a third side of the triangle and I walked another one and a half kilometres to rejoin the Camino. But I did get to see the early morning sky, and with no ambient light, lots of stars. 

The walk was through a variety of terrains including one stretch of tall pines reminiscent of eastern California or Washington State.   

And a comfy private room, laundered clothes, and good supper and I can say, "All's well that ends well."

Today's Music:  concerto for two violins in a minor  (Vivaldi)

Today's Paces:  33,989

Tomorrow's Prayer Intentions:  the Lewis/Parker families as they mourn the loss of their father/grandfather.