We were out in the dark this morning! We knew we had a long day and wanted to get a head start to beat heat or rain (you never know anymore). Got to use our headlamps so I can say that I have officially used every single item I brought at least once! Worth it.

We stopped for breakfast, as usual, but today’s cafe had a giant map where people wrote their names and marked where they were from around the world. So I added mine! I also tried to write a message for Bec (hi Bec!) who is my friend on the Camino just about three weeks behind, on a pillar but it was still too wet so all I left it with was “Bec yo” instead of “Bec you are almost there” 😂 but I left her something at a different mile marker to find…

We trudged on into the mud and through towns. Debbie asked for a selfie at one point that almost everyone groaned about taking but turned out super cute and has been posted on social media several times. So, there’s that. They all knew we would appreciate the photo later and we did.

There was still so much mud from intermittent raining and cool air. Being back in the forrests, we have loads to walk through. It also just still.. smells..awful.

We had a lot of fun today, laughing and singing lots of music. Of course this includes The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). It was a bit slap happy and fun, but still great! We ran up to Jen dancing and singing. You know, startled her, so that was fun.

We checked in, showered, went to look for food and ended up splitting up. Debbie had dinner with Kat and Jen, I went to the supermarket with Emma and Jens. I got salami, cheese, olives, and sour Skittles and called it a night. Jens went out to have a beer, and Emma and I climbed into bed. I watched Queer Eye Season 2 (haha!) thanks to Netflix’s downloads and just relaxed. I was so tired. I didn’t sleep well the night before so to just relax and do nothing was quite lovely.

Day mileage: 18.2
Total mileage: 448.5ish
Personal mileage: 18.75

We headed out today for another long day!

Today was a few more hills, definitely more cold and mud, and way less stressful knowing there was no pressure to have to hunt for a bed. Having everything booked at this point truly helps with breaks, speed , and ease of mind.

Today was exciting becauseeeeeee.. we passed the 100km marker! That means we only have 100 kilometers left of the Camino. That’s the minimum requirement. This is where it’s going to get busier and crazier every day. But the marker was truly an amazing moment! Emma, Jens, and Kat waited for Debbie and I to pass, like a cheering committee which was so incredibly sweet. There were celebrations. Tears from Debbie, hugs, and lots of photos.

Then, we just kept going. It felt long, for everyone. We got to our resting point, stopped for a bank and food. Even though for food, we waited in a cafe for 20 minutes before anyone would talk to us and just gave up and left.

Then, we walked more. Thrilling. Just felt like a long day for some reason. Wasn’t any insane amount of miles, just felt long. I laid in the middle of the road. Kat, Jens and I rested before arriving (even though it was like 1km away) and finally got to our albgerue in the middle of nowhere. We set up camp, ran into Doug and Nancy again (a couple we met last night from San Diego) and had dinner. Emma, Jens, and I sat outside a while, chatted about life, the Camino. Jen came out, we helped book Jens’ albergues with us for the rest of the trip! Buuuuuuttoo cold so I went in!

Day mileage: 17.6
Total mileage: 430.3ish
Personal mileage: 18.01