Villar de Mazarife 23Kms- Total 509kms

Jo and I ran into the Canadian women in the Leon Supermarket last night after a few days not seeing them---Jo and I were shopping for Dinner last night---came up with Muesli--a box---we both had 2 plates of it --about 80% of the packet so not too much to carry on. We were staying in a monastery and the Nuns---about 20 of them them invited us to a service---about 100 pilgrims turned up for 30 minutes before we hit the sack. Double bunks pushed together---so someone sleeping next to you--like in a double bed---a bit of a surreal experience---I hadnt met the guy next to me prior to getting into bed---and it seemed a bit weird sleeping about 6 inches away from someone I didnt know so I reached my hand across to him from my sleeping position and said ¨:I.m Chris: and He said Im Thomas--sounded like from Holland or Switzerland ---so we had a night together---havent seen him since. Walked 23 kms today-- Jo walked ahead and got into Mazarife an hour earlier than Me . I walked with Christine from Canada again and walking slower and by the end of the day conscious that my foot was saying You have walked far enough today. Were supposed to walk to Astorga tomorrow but I dont think my feet can carry me the 30 km to Astorga---so may have to break up the Trip---and Jo may go on---There is such a fine line between staying within your limits and pushing yourself too far---we face this decision most days--if you get it wrong you can pay the price for the rest of the camino---and we get reminded daily of those who have tried to push it too far. The place where we are staying has a BATH--such a luxery--especially for 6E a night---so Jo and I both made the most of it---our first for the camino and our aching muscles appreciated the attention. After bathing and washing sat around in the courtyard with Ellen from Holland---Going slower than us--started a week before and John from Ireland---from Waterford---his 1st day today---just has 2 weeks so decided to go from Leon to Santiago. Also ran into Dave from Canada from about 3 nights ago--the snorer---his wife has joined him in Leon and we are going to have dinner with them tonight

A better day

Have run into a couple of Irish guys the last couple of days--eddie Oakes from Dundork and Rob Mcgowan from Dublin---both having foot problems--blisters. Jo and I left Manzilla at 7.30 this morning after we had some of the All Bran Jo has been Lugging around with her for a few days--she (and I ) have been thwarted from using it by places that provide breakfast. Were eating that and prunes and dried figs to offset the cement white bread diet that we get 3 times a day---the least of our worries-for now. Was determined to go slow today-extra slow. My foot was repaired with 4 coatings of green Chinese linament-carried from a Chinese herballist in Haymarket--and a coating of vaseline this morning---and I didnt have the same problems--thanks for all your prayers---but I had the feeling that a few more kms today may have brought me undone again. Now in leon--less people staying in the Albergue tonight because the game between Man U and barcalona will last longer than when the doors of the albergue at 930pm. Not such a big issue for Jo and I. Ran into more Aussies today Kes and Claire--sisters from Cairns and Luke from Adelaide---Jo and I have the brother and sister category sewn up--the only pair on the camino I think. Also ran into les and Trudi and Tom again here after a week. Life is good --were having a ball. Theres nothing else like this--a delicate balance between physical and emotional and spiritual

Walking pace

Follow on---long day today--left st 7.20 and didnt get in till 2--but the most amazing thing was that Jo walked in about 90 SECONDS after me---I was thinking she would have been way ahead . Was really good to see her vagain--a big hug that we had survived our first seperation and Jo and I both shared in communal meals last night and met up with people we knew in seperate places

To Mansilla 3 days 80 kms

Have just had 30 minutes typing on my blog lost when my money ran out without warning so now a very edited version. Jo and I went seperate ways yesterday---she is going fantastic. My left foot is starting to hurt when walkingbut we have had 3 heavy days---little choice-looking forward to a lighter day tomorrow.Stopped when the pain started yesterday--I was on the road less travelled--no one for miles- but while i wasstopped Christine from Canada turned up and walked the last 6 Km with me--- a good distraction from my sore foot--it played up again today and I couldnt have gone much further than the 26 km I went today. With Dave from Canada last night-a snorer--got up 5 times to wake him or get him to turn over last night---He was good natured about it this morning--could only remember once

Terradillos 27kms=Total 413kms

We.re past the half way point =it seems to have gone so quickly= Have had a great 2 days. In Carrion we went out to dinner with Christine=Florida=sat down and Peter =walks in=first we had seen Peter for 15 days==he was in fine form. Went to mass then and at the end they asked all the pilgrims there to come up to the front==about 50 of us =and spent 30 minutes giving us a special Pilgrim blessing in about 6 languages==Peter did us proud for the english section. Then back to our Albergue run by 3 Augustine Nuns and They had a 30 minute ceremony for us too ==They have us each a paper star that they had personally coloured¿light to carry?and also gave us all a personal blessing=hands on our heads. Felt very blessed after all that. While we were at dinner, Chris waved at a woman looking through the window and she came and joined us=Eva==74 from Switzerland. She started the same day as us but her knees were playing up and she had decided to get a bus to Leon. She had trouble a few days before and an Aussie woman had carried her 12kg pack for her several Kms to the next village=carrying Evas pack in front of her.
Jo and I got away at 6.30 this morning==facing an 18km stretch to start=no villages=then at 10km mark someone had set up a caravan to sell tea coffee and food=we took the opportunity to rest. Caught up with Christine there and walked with her for an hour or two. Got to Terradillos at 1PM =delighted we got in so early after 27kms=but dead flat=so we moved slightly faster. Have a room with 3 NORMAL beds=not double bunks. Later in the afternoon peter walked in and is staying with us here. Have just had a wild storm with a lot of hail=thankful that we were not out in that. two different routes to go tomorrow=Jo and I thinking of going our different ways for a couple of days=stay tuned for developments

In Carrion

Jo and I got to Carrion today---a shortish day of 16Kms---but the next place was 18kms away--a step too far. ran into a Canadian woman last night. I said I was Chris from Australia--She said so you are the one who works in an office next to Peters wife !!!!!!!!! She had walked with him the day before-- I think he is in Carrion now but haven.t seen him. Walked with Christine From Florida for an hour this morning---her 2nd camino. Was raining this morning fior 2 hours but only lightly so the raingear kept it out.Previous night caught up with Katie and Marion from Canada again after a few days--hugs all around---had dinner with them at Itero and 2 Aussies from Kirribilli. This morning ran into Donald who grew up in Coonamble and knew our rellies there---Small world .Trying to stop talking about what is coming up and what I did last time here---its only taken me 2 weeks. I gave my watch to Jo at Sydney airport---but then started asking her the time about 15 times a day---but trying to stop that as well---I managed quite well not having a watch last time-. Were getting up about 6 each day getting away about 7 and getting in between 12 and 1 mostly

At Itero de la Vega--Day 17--350 KMS

Found a computer for the 2nd day in a row !!! but we,re staying in the smaller places across the Meseta so that may not continue. Last night we caught up with Les and Trudi and Tom from Port Macquarie---they had had a rest day in Burgos and then walked the 32 Kms that we had walked in 2 days, in one day. Trudi was sporting some large blisters. Today we,ve just seen them again and had a bite of lunch with them ---they were headed on a further 8 kms than the 22kms we did today. I finished with a lot more energy today---but have had a flareup of the inflammation in my right foot again---was off the anti-inflammatories for 2 days but will go back on them again---if anyone has some metaphysical data, am happy? to be hit between the eyes. Jo and I were both in tears last night over a lovely fish dinner---hard to explain---you had to be there---but they were good tears---we weren,t fighting. Came across 2 old Spanish villagers today in the middle of nowhere--at the end of a tiring stretch---the had lovely oranges and bananasso Jo got us one of each---How much---nothing!!---they had a basket if people wanted to donate something---so Jo did. Then a lady came and asked for a coca-cola---as if---but he had a tiny esky as well and pulled out a can of coke. We,re staying in a place with Katie and Mirian from Canada, a couple from Kirribilli who started 4 days after us--but they have caught a few buses and a Kiwi pair. Both well and fit and in high spirits