Hello! Thanks for bearing with me as I catch up on posts and update you all on the most recent happenings on the Camino. 

On Saturday I walked 27km, and my Dad got a taxi ahead to El Acebo. He decided that because his knee didn’t feel any better it was not worth risking it. We knew that today would be a lot of uphill, downhill, and bad weather. Even on flat ground he shouldn’t have been walking, so it only made sense. We decided that rather than stopping all together, I would continue to walk and then next year we will pick up from where I stopped walking. 

We slept in a bit and I didn’t get to walking until 9:30, which is a late start for going 27km. It wasn’t long before the rain started coming down. I met up with a couple friends who stayed at the same hostel as us, and we walked for a bit and had lunch together. After that I walked by myself the rest of the day, through some wild weather. 

Turns out this is a much colder spring than usual, and it actually ended up snowing! At the highest point, I got to 5,000ft of elevation, so I can see how the rain easily turned into snow up there. It didn’t stick on the ground, but it was otherwise like I was walking through a blizzard. The wind was quite intense, and I couldn’t see far in front of me most of the time. There was a lot of snow and fog. I was as bundled as physically possible, including my poncho that doesn’t fit very well. Thankfully it kept my bag dry which was the most important thing. Because I don’t have any proper gloves I used a pair of my merino wool socks on my hands and even when wet, they kept my hands nice and warm! 

My feet and legs got soaked quite quickly, which left my lower body cold. But from the waist up I was very dry, warm and even sweating! So really it wasn’t all that bad! I actually found it was a lot of fun for me. I have always loved doing sports in the rain, and hiking is no different, so long as I have the appropriate gear. I also just love being in the mountains, so I was ecstatic to be hiking, no matter the weather. 

I eventually reached the ‘Iron Cross’. One of the most iconic spots on the Camino de Santiago Frances. At this spot pilgrims will leave a rock that they have carried with them since the beginning. The rock is a symbol of the weight of sin in our lives. When we leave the rock, we leave behind that weight, and we move forward with the resolve to sin no more. I left my rock, said some prayers, and then ran back to shelter. I do wish the weather was nicer so I could spend a bit more time there and enjoy it more, but that’s okay. 

About an hour before reaching the hostel some of the clouds broke, the snow and rain stopped and I could see some beautiful mountains. All day I knew I was in the mountains, but I didn’t *know* I was in the mountains until I saw it like that. It was such a beautiful view, and it made me even happier. Eventually I reached town, met my Dad and we had dinner together. I was so excited for a hot shower and clean clothes! 

All in all I really enjoyed the day. I was sad my Dad couldn’t also be there to see and experience it with me, but we knew it was what was best for his health and safety. Thank you for your continued prayers! We are praying for you all. God Bless,

Hannah and Tony