9 May The Walk continues ... I am now in the Plains

The orchestra that I heard outside my window this morning was being lead by a local rooster, with his fellow coup friends the hens providing most of the music , but more importantly the solo parts were being sung by the dove, the cuckoo birds and the pigeons... I was thinking what a wonderful way to wake up to another day in the plains of Spain. The only problem was that I heard the familiar sound of rain. I looked out the window to see low clouds and a constant drizzle of water from the heavens.

The route today was from Castrojeriz to Fromista some 18miles with the first three miles being straight up the mountain challenge. It was actually a very beautiful morning with all the large green grain fields and the occasional pasture lands. I must take one moment and thank Dr Tim Barr for arranging for my eye surgery before I departed... I can now see all the colors of Spain, thank you Tim. Least to say the trip was a wet one. The climb was actually a good morning work out and once on top the view was worth the effort, beautiful. Miles and miles of rolling green grain fields each working hard to provide food for harvest in the fall. I made the walk in some six hours, cold and wet it was a good to see my quarters for the night. A good day even in bad conditions.

Tomorrow I will do a very long walk of 45km or 29 miles. By the way my foot problems have been resolved and I am back to full speed. This part of the Walk has few sites of interest so one must move on through to enjoy what is ahead on the trail. The next special point of interest is Leon. In two days I will be half way to Santiago...

In closing I would ask each of you to say a pray for a good friend of Martha and myself, Robin Pilli, wife of Guy Pilli. Robin passed away last night after fighting cancer for some five years. She may be gone but she will never be forgotten. She is now keeping an eye on us from a better place.