Day 37 – Palas de Rei to Arzua

June 12th – Today’s walk is in and out of forests initially, first eucalyptus trees tall and fragrant then up into an ancient oak woods.  I walk thru the small hamlets of O Coto and Leboreiro with their medieval bridges and churches and walking the Camino is a joy I will never tire of…

The Camino surprise of the day is when I see sheep running down the path being herded by a woman who calls out to them.

I’m conscious of my desire to stay present but can feel the shift in both me and my surroundings after the first couple of hours have passed.  The path comes out of the woods and runs parallel N-547 with industrial parks making me wonder if this is what the remainder of the Camino will be like.  There is only tomorrow’s walk before my final day into Santiago the following day which I know is mostly suburbs.

I’m looking forward to Melide, my next town, where the regional specialty is octopus (pulpa).

I find Pauline at one pulpa restaurant along with Kim and Sue at another.  The four of us head out of town together and return to the path once again.  It’s a blessing to be with these three women who have shared the Camino  journey with me.

(Kim and Sue on the path.)

I am very happy to find after leaving Melide that there are more country villages and sweet surprises that includes this sleeping dog with its lambs.

My day ends with what will probably be my last long walk of 19 1/2 miles.  I am almost to Santiago.

39.500 kilometers to go.