As in it came down in bucketfuls today along with gusts of wind. So much for the brief respite with blue skies and sunshine.

Today was nothing to write home about. Literally. We woke after a surprisingly good night’s sleep, despite fellow pilgrims starting to snore already by 2030! We all just stuck our earplugs in and hoped for the best. We had our breakfast then headed out.

Still dark. And rainy. Onward we went. The one fun thing every morning, even in a city environment, is being greeted by multiple roosters crowing to announce the morning. I can’t say I’d want to hear it at home but it makes me smile every morning here. Along with seeing the vans delivering the fresh bread to the local homes. I’d like to have them stop to offer us some!

It was a few good hours before a cafe was in our path. Of course we ventured in. It was packed with hikers and all their rain gear. We spotted Heather, from Scotland, whom we missed yesterday. And Kathy and Bob from Vermont. Once we had our coffee even Michelle from the Netherlands joined us. I think this is the best part of a Camino – it’s a virtual United Nations.

We malingered as long as possible before heading back out. It was just more of the same. The rain was so hard that I barely pulled out my phone for pictures. Karma is better at that and he was pleased to find all kinds of interesting fungi in one of the woodland paths.

Fortunately we opted for a short day. We reached the albergue Mandy had booked and got checked in. It’s a charming place. More people here than I expected this close Santiago. Most people seemed to be pushing to Santiago.

Another good thing for those who have followed along with my blisters and bunion saga, I’m actually walking pain free now! Mandy seemed to want to document the saga so has posted about it in her instagram reels – and now apparently one of them has actually been viewed 227,000 views! Can you believe it?! You can find her at travelingnaturejournal.

Showers taken and laundry in, as everything was wet, dirty and stinky. Didn’t help when we had to walk on busy city streets and the vehicles splashed us even more. Ah well, wet is wet.

9.25 miles with 21,662 steps