We left our cozy room at 6 AM and were out into the frigid morning. Our walk was straight up the hill and through the forest. At least the walk warmed us up and thank goodness Diana thought to bring her gloves which she loaned me. We are out in a "Zona Natural" where there was very little ambient light and we could finally see the Milky Way in the clear sky above us. It was wonderful to be among the trees, open meadows in the forest and when we stopped, hear nothing.
We walked through dense woods on both sides and in spite of the dark, it felt so safe. I wonder if past pilgrims feared bandits or wild animals.
After a bit, the sun came up and we could see the rosy reflections of the sun in the clouds well before it hit us. We were never happier to have the sun on our backs to warm us up! As it got lighter, we could see that we were passing through pine and oak forests. The oak trees had very small (maybe 3" long) leaves with tiny acorns. Along the path and under the trees was so much heather in bloom - many shades of fuscia, lavender and purple. Hard to capture in a photo.
The forest suddenly opened up into a sunflower field and we approached St Juan de Ortega where we got much-needed warm beverages and sat in the sun a for a few minutes.
The walk continued through the delightful village of Ages where the sign said we'd find a charming village, which we did.
We walked on up a hill and turned around to see where we had come from - the hills in the distance were the woods we walked through and the windmills we passed (you can almost see them in the distance).
At the top of the hill we found a cross, a circle of rocks and an incredible approximately 270 degree view of the valleys and mountains in the distance.
A few yards down the trail, we found a bench under a quote about how pilgrims in the past marveled about the view from this site and had our picnic lunch.
After lunch we had a short walk down into the valley and into the small village of Cardenuela where our albergue, Via Minera is located. A pair of Germans, Tom and Uvo whom we'd passed off and on all day beat us here. We registered and sat down to have a drink with them. Since then others have arrived and we've enjoyed a sunny afternoon enjoying the company and watching the laundry dry. It's a tough life.
My angel card today was 'delight' and every view, wild flower (I've never seen so many varieties of thistle) and conversation today has been delightful. The biggest treat was walking along the gravel road with meadows on both sides and startling about 40 minature metallic blue butterflies that fluttered around my ankles and knees - unbelievable and DELIGHTFUL!
It is easy for me to be delighted on this trip - there is so much to see and learn. I am determined to find something in each day that is delightful when I return.
Today was a 13 mile walk and we decided not to push on to Burgos, a big city, until tomorrow - only about a 6 mile walk. We'll follow the alternative route along the river and have time for sightseeing.
Memories of Platerio and I and the white butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing about the butterflies. They have shown up in my life at very special times. Glad you're taking it easy and not pushing it. I love your descriptions and insights, like a devotion. It sets my day up so well. This morning, as I walked around the lake, despite the HEAT, I was delighted by the tiny swimmers near the edge (tadpoles? newts? fishlets??)and the great blue heron taking flight. See? Your love is rippling all the way across the ocean...
ReplyDeleteSo many symbols and so many people to remind us of the beauty, magic, blessings and love in our lives. Glad they present themselves each and every day for you.
ReplyDeleteToday at yoga we honored the hard work that is done even in our common or gentle poses.
I thought of you while doing twists and wondered how you have been stretching and nurturing your body through this very demanding physical journey. (knowing you are caring well for your feet especially and that there seems to be an abundance of chocolate))
Namaste'