Camino on the highway, not our favorite

Originally I was hoping to start today’s post with- ‘We were lucky today!’

Not so much! We left early this morning, and heard rain as we were getting ready. We put on our rain gear, and when we went outside, it had stopped raining. After about an hours walk we took off the rain gear. We had lots of peaks of sunshine, so we were cautiously optimistic.

We passed many wheat fields, saw farmers baling straw, moving and stacking straw bales.

Perigrinos had added artistic expressions to a field of sunflowers, from happy faces, hearts, and graffiti. We reciprocated the photo opp with a couple from Germany that are bicycling the Camino.

We walked for over 5 1/2 hours and then things changed! Dramatically!

We were less than a mile outside of Hontanas, (where we planned to have lunch) when the winds picked up to what seemed like ‘hurricane’ level – at least 45 – 50 miles per hour! The wind mixed with gravel, and rain was coming on so strong it hurt! Thankfully we had already put on our rain gear!

We were planning to go to Castrojeriz today, but decided we did not want to chance the repeat of our earlier experience. We are happy with todays 13.5 mile stretch, and can make up time, if needed on another nicer day.

We enjoyed another communal dinner this evening. We exchanged ‘caught in the rain’ stories with those that were sitting around us. One couple (Don and Marie from Canada) sought refuge in the cab of one of the farm implements – until the farmer returned to drive it away. They were surprised to get ‘caught’ and also surprised the farmer that didn’t notice them until they climbed out as he climbed in!

We are still having a great time! Everyone is in a great mood no matter what happens that day. We all know we ‘signed up’ for the Camino, and God gives us what we need to go on.