Sharon and Barry Go!

Today I crossed from the province of Asturias into Galicia, Spain’s northwestern-most province and the home of Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of this journey.

Today was bright and clear. As I started my walk from Berducedo to Grandas de Salime, there were clouds above me and more clouds in the valley below. It was glorious and affirming. And I realized: This sense of serenity, contemplation, discovery and self-reliance is why we walk the Camino.

When you set out on the Hospitales route, you know you won’t see a place to eat, drink or take shelter for the entire 15.5 miles. But people do it for the incredible views. Somebody told me they could see the ocean from the heights of the Hospitales. So what did I see from the top?

Over the last few days I have done a lot of walking but not much writing. I’m going to try to catch up. Here’s the plan:

As I left the albergue in La Espina, I told mi amigo Michael that at 27 kilometers, the day’s walk was the longest yet.

He agreed and said something like, “Yes, you just walk.”

I feel very fortunate. The weather has been perfect for hiking. Temperatures have mostly been in the 60s; some were lower but none were higher. And most important: No rain!

When Sharon and I walked the Camino del Norte in 2023, sometimes we would walk for awhile without seeing one of the yellow arrows that marks the route. That prompted Sharon to ask, “Are we still on the camino?” She still asks me that when we are walking somewhere and may be off track.

I did not see a single other pilgrim today in the 13.3 miles I walked from Oviedo to Paladín. There are a couple of possible reasons: