In Galicia

Again a very short entry because time is limited - we have given been some access to internet in the local library. These final weeks of the Camino will go fast but well - as soon as we entered Galicia (basically from Ribadeo), there has been a different feel to the albergues and to the walk itself. This is an exceptionally happy experience - such a gift.

I hope you were able to look at the photographs I put in yesterday (or whenever it was!!!) - they´ll give you an idea of the scenes. Today and yesterday have been walks through the most beautiful rolling hills, strolling in villages that carry so much of a mediaeval feel, and in very good company. Yesterday, I started walking with Christu and Lisa (the young Austrian couple) and we had an extremely wide-ranging discussion about their work in yoga, dance and all kinds of New Age thinking, as well as life in Austria and the values of their generation. There is hope.  What made it so enjoyable though was that they have a delicious sense of humour and we spent much time laughing and joking about breathing and energies and woodland spirits - while, at the same time, talking quite seriously about the need for connection to the earth. I told them about Dennis Edward´s books and the idea that we are stardust - they were really interested because it connected with their own ideas - again, this would take me a long time to explain!

 I walked separately in the afternoon after spending some time in meditation in the woods and thinking on where I am now walking with Mark. The Camino journey has definitely helped me so much.

In the evening, we met up with Olivier at the albergue (and with the two crazy German ladies, and with several other now familiar faces, but no Spanish cyclists) and shared a wonderful meal together, pooling our resources, with much laughter. The Spanish cyclists that I wrote about previously, by the way, tarnished the good impression they made at Ribedeo - they went out to enjoy the night´s fiesta (yet another feast of Our Lady) - and made a lot of noise when they returned to the albergue.

I´ve said this before, but I am continually struck by the fact that there is no sense of division according to age, sex or nationality (apart from the bloody Germans and the bloody Spanish cyclists!!!). Today, we all walked together and have come to the town of Montedeneo - with an unbelievably comfortable albergue, purpose built only 5 years ago. Galicia is PARADISE compared to Asturia and to Cantabria. There is a beautiful cathedral in this town with mediaval frescoes on the walls - we´re going to Mass there tonight.

Again - I don´t know the next internet connection but all is well and it feels as though everything is finally coming together. My foot is much better - and, yes Peter Faulkner, I reckon my fitness is now pretty good - I´m amazed to discover muscles on my legs that I haven´t seen since I was 18 and dancing! I´ll just have to carry on dancing now!!

Off to Mass - love and peace to all.