Crossed the 100k mark today walking from Sarria to Portomarín. While I will have walked over 800k by the time I reach Santiago, the requirement for receiving a certificate is just that you walk the last 100k and have 2 stamps on your pilgrim credentials to prove it. There are many people that, due to time or health constraints just walk the last 100k. It was an interesting walk today which included a Spanish couple walking the 100k to Santiago with their six dogs.

Short walk from Tricastela to Sarria. My chest strap on my backpack broke as I was walking so I just tied a knot (much to the dismay of two “helpful” Peregrinos who stopped to give me advice on how to fix it and have since met me several times on the path and Sarria to see if I have fixed it properly yet). Sarria is much larger than I expected and it took me a while to find the hostel where I had pre-booked and a bit of an effort to get in once I got here but it is very nice.

Once again, the walk was lovely! Had several of those “I cannot believe I’m walking across Spain moments”! So much of this Camino is simply surreal!

Walked today from La Faba to Triacastlela It was about 26-28 k. Every map you look at and everyone’s electronic device differs but today the variation was quite a bit for some reason. This region is so rich with religious and cultural significance but I’m intending my blog to be more entertaining than educational so I’ll refrain from expounding.

It was cool this morning and we walked through alternating sun, fog, and clouds. It was a beautiful walk and I said it was my best day so far! I was told that I have said that before. I guess it’s a pretty fantastic trip when each day seems better than the last!

Melita, Annika, and I will probably spend our last night together tonight as they have earlier flights and I don’t want to rush my last few walking days. We made future plans in Slovenia, Sweden and the USA.

Only walked about 23k today from Villafranca del Bierzo to La Faba. Enjoyed exploring Villafranca last night. A lovely village with a beautiful cathedral. The walk was nice today. Mostly along the road with nice scenery. The last kilometer was hard, though. Uphill with lots of mud and rocks. Was greeted by lots of familiar faces when I came over the hill and greeted many more as we sat and waited for the Albergue to open at two.

Walked 31k today from Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo with Annika. Didn’t encounter as many familiar faces as usual but met a few lovely new people and Soren (Germany), whose birthday we celebrated two nights ago, is staying here as well. It was a beautiful day to walk through some lovely villages and vineyards. Rain was predicted but we didn’t have to pull out our ponchos until the last 2k. Looks like tomorrow will be mostly uphill so I am planning a shorter day.

Walked just a couple kilometers from where we stayed in Foncebaden to leave our rocks from home and watch the sun rise at Cruz de Ferro. It was a cool morning and perfect for walking. I walked slow and took lots of pictures. The scenery was amazing! Just walked a short 20k today and am staying with Annika and Melita in charming Molinaseca.

Had an awesome day in Astorga yesterday! The Gaudi Palace and Astorga cathedral were beautiful. Window shopped lots of chocolate and confections! Having to carry everything I buy for the rest of the trip has prevented me from buying souvenirs and gifts- sorry family and friends.

Had a nice 26k walk to Foncebaden. It was cool and windy but good for walking and there was a lovely rainbow most of the time. Our timing was good as right when we stopped for lunch it rained and right when we stopped for the day it snowed!

We ate quite a hearty pilgrim meal last night. A great salad and chicken and rice paella. We went to the market and bought fruit for breakfast. Pleasant walk to Arstoga this morning (22k). And Melita and I are happy to have been given our own room for 5 euro each. There is quite a bit to see in Arstoga so we are excited to go exploring!

Walked with Melita today and we walked 26k, a little further than I had planned (I am easily influenced). It was another day of beautiful weather and flat walking. The flat walking will end tomorrow and then a bit more scenic again for the last couple weeks. My pictures are from Leon last night. I toured the beautiful Cathedral de Leon and the cloister and museum. No photos allowed in the museum. Leon is a lovely city. I am staying in San Martin del Camino tonight at the Municipal Albergue and am pleased to discover Annika is as well.

Walked a short 20k from Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon. It was forecast to be hot again today (86 F) so we left before 6am. The walk was not too exciting and through some industrial areas. We stumbled upon a hostel near the cathedral and splurged for $15 euro beds and a lovely lunch in front of the cathedral. We sat and people watched for a couple of hours over our pasta, sangria and desserts. Melita, Ting An and I are going to explore the cathedral later and possibly attend mass. Many pilgrims are staying two nights in Leon but we are walking on tomorrow.

My shoes have served me well but I think by the end of the Camino they will be warn out…. don’t tell them but they will be staying in Spain.