Monday, March 24, 2008

snow!

As threatened, Saturday arrived in Navarrete with snow, driving horizonatally into our faces, but luckily without settling on the path. Furthermore the stage had no villages to stop at so we had 19km with no shelter apart from a tunnel under a road, where we recovered our energy with cakes and dried fruit. Luckily the snow stopped, and following Najera we made quick progress on to Azofra to a luxurious albergue looked after by a man who also ran a wine celler(a bodegero , what more could you expect in the Rioja). In the evening we prepared a salad together with 3 Basques and a couple from Valencia following which the "bodegero" appeared with 3 bottles of his wine for us to try...a gesture not greatly appreciated by a German pilgrim who protested at 10-00 that he was being kept awake by our revelry...the "bodegero"solved by closing the door conecting the kitchen room from the sleeping quarters "if he protests again, I ll find him a room up on the 3rd floor" as he opened another bottle of tinto.

It must have been good wine, because we all slept like logs(apart from the unfortunate German) and with no lasting effects the next morning.

Today the snow had given way to rain, but the strong wind remained, but we made good progress on through Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where I caught up with Kevin an Irishman, Sean from Australia and a Korean with a name I have difficulty pronouncing and less idea how to write. The weather at this stage had cleared up with sunshine, turning into a pleasant afternoon, and given that we were all feeling fine this, coupled with the threat of more rain tomorrow , encouraged us to continue on to Belorado.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Done... I wish I could do the same... I mean drink Rioja vino tinto... Good Luck for the next few days.. Brieuc

Anonymous said...

Que valent, ja ho saps que t' ho dic cada dia. Quin riure amb la història del bodeguero. These squared Germans.....wanting to sleep how do they dare...,(he reminded of myself 5 years ago...just thinking the same about "those pilgrims" who wouldn't take Camino seriously enough.....). You know Matt I have some German blood running through my veins.....no? BUEN CAMINO rei.
Parlem demà.

Clare said...

Hi Matt

I'm your sort-of-cousin Clare, and I'm keeping up with your journey. I loved the post about the crosses woven into the fence.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Anonymous said...

Hi Matt
Just been reading your adventures so far. Sounds like it's going very well, and you're walking a long way everyday - you'll be there before you know it. Bet you weren't expecting snow though! I hope the legs are not too tired and the blisters are staying away...By the way, Aina received your Easter egg, and is delighted with it, she has been eating loads of it already! Take care and enjoy yourself. Forca Matt!
Un abrazo
Gareth

Mel's Spot said...

Darling Matt
After 2 solid days of riding Africa-busses, I'm in Malawi at a hotel preparing to fly home for a week.
Sitting here reading your story, I'm in tears. I'm so touched by your experience. It brings back the deepest love and longing for the amazing experiences and meetings which you're going through. I'm so impressed by your walking, your striving, your openess and how you express all that.
Strength my Darling.
Keep on Keeping on.
In Love and Admiration
Mel

Anonymous said...

Hi Matt, I am very impressed by what you are doing. Just imagine years down the line telling a child or relative your amazing journey, so many experiences to tell. Sam, Beanna and Phia send you all their love ! god man you could have taken them with you, we would have all had a good rest haha. Phia wants to tell you that daddy found your coat behind
his sofa but it may be a long way to come to collect it.
This is just for you Matt, we all love you very much !


Fearlessness may be a gift, but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions, courage that could be described as 'grace under pressure' - grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh, unremitting pressure.
AUNG SAN KYI 1945 WINNER OF NOBLE PEACE PRIZE

Holly xxx