This will be my penultimate post. That’s second last-just sounds more worldly, which is what I am now since the Camino. Lol. We hit Sarria which is the only place you actually need to start the Camino to get your Compostela at the end. And you have to complete this section and get a minimum of 2 stamps a day or you won’t get the certificate that testifies that you are a repentant pilgrim. Apparently the other 700km or so don’t count! Umm… This part of the Camino is very different. Many more pilgrims join at Sarria. So many Italians! I am enjoying speaking to them and my Italian is getting really good now with all this practice!!

The scenery has changed again. Woodlands and forest. We had our 3rd day of rain on this trip. We’ve been so lucky with the weather! But the poncho got a gig (thanks Flynne!).

We met some geese…just quietly, We stopped in Portomarin – this town would not survive without the pilgrims. Like so many others. Caught up with some of our Camino family which is always nice. The climb up the stairs to the town at the end of the day was cruel.

We celebrated the 100km mark with our Irish friends Jordie and Edele and Kat from Canada. Regular United Nations we are!

And we’re seeing lots of grain storage, I’m guessing for all the corn they grow here.

This last 100km certainly is an interesting contrast to the other 700km. Those who have walked from St Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles are showing signs of fatigue. Our bodies are letting us know just how much we’ve done. Those who started in Sarria are fresh and energetic, and just beginning to experience the blisters and the soreness that comes when your body adjusts to walking every day. The newbies chat excitedly while the rest of us can’t help but be in silent reflection about the journey we’ve made. The sunrises will be one of the things I’ll miss most.

I am looking forward to reaching Santiago. And I’m not. And this may not be my penultimate post on the Camino, because the Camino begins when it ends. Santiago tomorrow. Buen Camino!