Thursday, September 24
at the foothills of O´Cebreiro
Hola! Left Astorga for Rabanal del CAmino...stayed at an Albergue run by the English...had tea and biscuits at 4 pm...went shopping in the late afternoon for food to cook for dinner at the albergue with our Australian friend...the next day we walked to the Iron Cross, the highest elevation on the Camino. There is an iron cross on top of a long pole with rocks all around it. It is here where pilgrims add a rock from home usually as a memory or blessing or as a burden that you leave behind. It was incredible...beautiful day and very meaningful. Gene and Susu left their rocks, one from Seattle and one from the Cheatwood´s back yard. Hope our prayers, wishes are answered. The scenery leaving Astorga for the next day and a half were spectacular...mountains, green valleys...maybe the prettiest of the camino so far. The towns have changed...stone buildings with black slate roofs. We have also entered the region of Bierzo, another wine producing area so we have seen many vineyards with mountains in the background. We walked through Ponferrada with its Knights Templar Castle looming big in front of us. We spent the night in Cacabelos....hard to describe where we stayed...little mini 2 bed boxes surrounding the old church. This morning we walked from Cacabelos, thru Villafranca and then up a path...one of the steepest to the highest point in the region...you could see all of the valley below...absolutely gorgeous....then thru a grove of chestnut trees. It was a difficult route but well worth it...except that Gene was swarmed by flies and bees....too much nice smelling lotion. We are now staying at a Brazilian albergue and the hospitalera who is brazilian prepared dinner for 6 of us....we sat outside in a lovely patio she called Camelot and it was the best meal of the CAmino. Tomorrow we hike up to O´Cebriero...the steepest of the journey so far. We have put in some long days...it is actually very hot...high 80´s in the afternoon but beautiful skies. We are entering the final stages of our journey...hard to believe. Keep praying for us as we get closer to Santiago....we love you! susu and gene
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Sounds spectacular...I would love to see it all in person one day(minus all the walking of course). I can say I am totally impressed by you two...keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. love, John
ReplyDeleteWow, every entry in your blog is better than the last one. Don't stop.... keep walking........ even at the end...... what will I do if I can't check your blog anymore??? It's Thursday night and we had a full house at yoga, tough class but nothing like what you two have been through. Keep on chugging along and do a big OM for me, I'll be listening.
ReplyDeleteWhooo-hoo! You're almost there! Thank goodness for an update - checking your blog has become a real addiction for me and I've been going through withdrawal these past four days. Good luck tomorrow with the steep steep hike. It's a straight vertical line on the map you left me! No biggie for you two, though...Keep it up - you're almost there. Oh - and Mom, Drew wants you to be a mermaid for Halloween?????? So maybe bring home a couple of those Santiago seashells. :)
ReplyDeleteLove you, C
YAY!!! Will be thinking about you tomorrow; I remember feeling like I was walking up into the heavens the day we walked up O'Cebreiro. It's a long day, but scenic. Glad you enjoyed Rabanal and the Iron Cross; I agree, some of the most beautiful days of walking! Lay low on the smelly lotion and take care of those feet! Not far now...Love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteDear Susu and Gene,
ReplyDeleteI finally got to catch up on your blog. What can I say? Wow!! I cannot even imagine how beautiful it is when you are on those mountaintops looking at the green valleys! Do you ever feel like one of the early explorers? Are you ever alone? It must be a fantastic experience. I really admire your perseverance and endurance. Can't believe you only have 12 days to go! Hope your poor feet get better. The experience in the cathedral sounded wonderful too; it must have been really beautiful and moving.
We had a great trip to Ireland: great weather, gorgeous scenery,and wonderfully friendly people who all wanted to share a story. More later--back to your journey.
Can't believe you're almost there. Be safe and know that you are in our prayers. Be sure to record all the anecdotes--there's a book there! I'm amazed you feel like writing after all the walking.
Take care.
Love,
Martha (Tom's sends greetings too!)
Hola! Just got your email. 5 days to go for you and looks like all downhill pretty much so you must feel great. All is well here. No Audrey did not offer help with the usual dining room stain. I am trying. Kevin got rain yesterday but today is good and they come home tomorrow. Just talked to him. Beaufort had rain all day yesterday so good call not to go. Doing projects and yard work here. Been to Teeter three times and enjoy going!?! You guys need a new blog update and call me when you can. Love to you, B.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Pilgrim!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good night's sleep. Anxious for you to get home. Can't wait for all the pictures and the stories! Maybe you will just have to write that book after all. Downhill today so good luck with the knees. Glad to hear Susu's blisters are under control. shin splints are another matter and not much to do for them. Sometimes tight compression with an Ace wrap helps. Need a blog entry!
Love you, B.
Wow girls you are almost there!!! Kudos and much support on the last part of your journey. Take care and keep on going!!!
ReplyDeleteJean and Bob
Hey Gene and Susu -
ReplyDeleteMight I say how impressive and inspirational the two of you are! Love to you both - Michele Keel
Hi My Friends,
ReplyDeleteWow! Can't believe you are on the last leg of your incredible journey--but am excited for you to be home. Not much going on here. Life as usual. A tad bit of fall in the air (in the mornings). Can you believe all you have experienced?? Somebody mentioned a book--sounds like a great idea. Still missing you!
Love,
Libby