Fonfria to Sarria

Day 27

The obligatory rooster started crowing at daybreak. I laughed, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

Today’s trek was mostly downhill. We started out at about 7:30 and our Italian contingent opted to take a bike down the hills to the next location. He’s been our amazing booking agent so he went ahead to find a place to stay.

Most of the first part of the walk today was through shaded trails. Cool paths, the sound of running water, birds, and rich green foliage.

I feel like I was given a tremendous gift in the middle of the darkest portion of the trail. I became keenly aware of the moss growing on the ancient trees and rock walls. I was compelled to put out my hand to feel the moss to try to remember it and also to take a picture. About twenty meters on I saw an even greener patch of moss and stood there for a moment wondering if I should take pictures of moss along the way. As I stood there in front of a rock just beyond the intense green moss – the sunlight broke through the trees. There in front of me, to my astonishment, was a carved picture on the rock. It measured about a foot high by two feet long. I was standing in front of it but without the light I couldn’t see it at all. It was carved directly into the rock by an expert stone carver and was gilded in gold. I don’t know who the carver is or its age – but it was pristine work – so much so that I couldn’t see any uneven part in the stone.

My two counterparts who were walking didn’t see it. I’m sure long-time locals must know it’s there but I wonder how many millions of people over the years have walked past it and not seen it. I felt extremely fortunate.

The rest of the walk was breathtaking as well.

I met my friends along the way for lunch and our ‘agent’ had landed us two rooms, two double beds each – in the town of our destination. One for the girls, one for the guys. Beautiful rooms and location – bargain price.  Fabulous.

Along the way I passed two mounted civil guardsmen. I took out carrots and asked if I could feed their horses. They graciously obliged.

The place we have ended up in is no coincidence. Albergue APedra The owner and his wife contribute to a school in Africa and help families there were most needed. Joanna and I walked past an art studio in the forest on our trek today “Art’s Studio” – run by Arthur Manson Lowe. He did a Camino and it changed his life. He has done painting exhibits at Windsor Castle and will have an exhibit at the studio we passed later this week to benefit this same project for Africa. Details below.

Off to watch Spain in the World Cup. In Spain. With friends. Life is good.

More later…