The last BIG walk day Oct 19,

We have settled it. We will do 20 km today and walk into Santiago on Sunday around noon. Me and the Dutch girls, Roza and Luciena. Looks like it will be another day walked entirely in the rain.

After a nice dinner of Lasagna last night we retired to our bunks. We will leave the Albergue after breakfast at first light - 8:30 or so.

It’s obvious that the pilgrim season is winding down as most of the villages we passed through had cafe/bar establishments who have already closed down. This Albergue, however, was totally full last night. The young lady running it, Tatyana, was one of the most patient and cheerful people I have ever met. From what I could see she was the only employee (except possibly the cocinera who never did appear). The girl was reception, bartender, waitress and maintenance person for this establishment. Bravo Tatyana and done with such grace!

Not too many pictures today because I walked in a driving rain and was terrified of messing up my phone. Here is a picture of the boot hallway from last night. Albergues do not like you taking your boots into the sleeping room. Understandable — you walk through all kinds of shit on the road. So this is were they go!

Today I walked, as I said, 20kms through constant rain. It was a battle to keep my feet out of the wet. Sometimes I had the choice of putting my foot in a puddle deep enough to flood my shoe or in the sucking mud. Tough decision. So I am constantly looking at the ground. These things are all over Spain. They are chestnut pods — also known as Buckeye pods (Ohio friends). You see women gathering them everywhere. Not sure if they eat them or sell them.

Here is some lovely graffiti I saw as I entered O Pedrouzo (sometimes I think this area of Spain was settled by Irish-so many villages begin with the “O” - just joking - not really at dinner we discussed the relationship between Gaelic and Galacia).

So we are finally here, in a little Village called Lavacolla - 10 km from Santiago! We will walk in to the square tomorrow in front of the Cathedral of Santiago. I can hardly believe it is almost done.

13 km to go!