Packing up the Pieces

Wow, Wow, Wow!

My heart is literally overflowing with gratitude after my family visited me in Spain for over two weeks. This was our first family trip since 2018, when we road-tripped through Scotland and Ireland.

I took them to some of my favorite places in Galicia, like Muxia, Fisterra, and the rugged Death Coast. We stopped in Santiago de Compostela and soaked in hot springs on the border of Portugal.

We explored new places too. From the old Roman city of Lugo and the Rias Altas in the North, I fell even more in love with my new home.

We hiked, ate delicious meals, walked along cobblestone streets, strolled on beaches, and went for Vermu. Mostly, we just spent good quality time together. And for that, I am thankful to the depths of my soul.

Photo dump from two amazing weeks with my quirky, wonderful, little crew.

This is the New Year ❤️

One word put me to sleep last night and awoke in my consciousness. Acceptance

It’s such a simple concept and I felt it this afternoon on my walk. The dark, the light, the cold, the warmth of the sun. The dead of leaves, the aliveness of the green moss and stream. I find it in community of cities and hamlets and alone in the mountains.

Life is this world of contrasts and I am learning to accept and find the beauty in the shadows and in the light.

I have a good feeling about this year and I’m writing again, not for anyone else but myself.

May all beings find the beauty in acceptance. ✨

Just when I think Galicia can’t be more beautiful, she surprises me yet again. She has left me speechless and my heart overflowing with gratitude after a quick trip to the Cíes Islands.

The Cíes Islands consist of three islands and you can visit two by walking over a bridge (Faro & Monteagudo). They are protected and are considered a national marine park and a special place to those who call the Vigo Estuary home.

The islands were named after the Roman’s saying they were the “Islands of the Gods.” One things for certain, today it felt like a piece of paradise here on Earth.

Between the two main islands there are four hiking trails and many white sand beaches. The main beach Praia de Rodas has topped the world’s best beaches list, but I preferred the smaller and move enclaved Praia de Figueiras.

This gem is only short ferry ride from my new home 💙

Day 9: Gradefes- Leon

I made the day way longer than it needed to be, but mentally I was already in Leon. I knew I had a long haul in front of me so I left early.

Again the way passes through farmland. It was easy to lose the signals as many of them were covered by overgrowth. I lost some timing and added some extra steps. There are absolutely no services and I should have loaded up on food in Cistierna.

A notable stop on the way is the Monasterio de San Miguel de Escalada. The interior is supposed to be incredible, but it was Monday, so it was closed. I ate the rest of my chocolate and continued onwards.

Most pilgrims continue to Mansilla del las Mulas which is part of the Camino Frances. I opted to take an alternative route towards the ruins of Monasterio de San Pedro de Eslonza. There really isn’t much left but I quite enjoyed the views walking into the village. I could see the mountain range that I walked through last year on the Camino de San Salvador.

The landscape is really quite different. It’s strange to have gone from the sea and estuary to the mountains to the dustiness of the plateau. It is beautiful in its own way.

I officially joined the Camino Frances in the village of Puente Villarente. I stayed in this village when I walked the Camino Frances in 2022 and my watch informed me I had walked 18 miles.

I stopped in a cafe for an orange Kas, a snack, and refilled my water.

I knew the way into Leon and decided to walk the almost 8 miles to the city center. When I arrived I checked to see if there was certificate for the Camino Vadiniense, but it’s such a quiet way there is no certificate. In fact, many of the albergues here in Leon had never heard of the route or seen the credencial (Lebaniego) I was carrying.

This is a beautiful and untouched Camino with many challenges. Those who undertake it will be rewarded with solitude and a deep appreciation for the lost tribes who called this area home and some of the last to resist the Roman conquest.

🥾25.75 miles (41.5 Km)
⌚️ 9 hours