An Idyllic Day

I didn't have access to wifi last night, so I'm uploading this post from a cafe in Portomarin (they often offer free wifi to their patrons). 

The walk from Samos back to the regular Camino trail was amazingly beautiful. I would not have been surprised if a unicorn jumped out of the forest and into my path. I didn't see another human for hours. Just happy cows in lush green pastures, jungle-like ancient oak forests and family run farmsteads that look like they haven't changed in hundreds of years. Breathtaking. 

I split town at sunrise yesterday thinking I was leaving my second (or maybe my third) Camino family behind me, but when I stopped at a random cafe 4 hours later, my german friend Elke and then Vito suddenly appeared. Too funny. Off we continued as a little troop again. I love how Camino friends just sort of come and go as I walk. No matter how it works out, it's always perfect. 

I passed the 100 km to Santiago mark just at my auberge last evening.

I have mixed feelings about that. The weather, scenery and the alberges continue to improve each day. I am thoroughly enjoying myself, although if i didn't have a plane to catch id actually prefer to walk less the the 25-30 kms I'm walking each day. But I'm missing my kids, my friends, my home, my pets and my garden. So I know I'll be ok to head home next Monday morning. (I'm trying to arrange to spend 2 days in Santiago before I leave). 

The place Where i stayed last night was idyllic.  Here's the backyard:

 It was an old stone house perched above hundreds of acres of rolling hillside, with cowbells tinkling, frogs, crickets and birds chirping, and of course roosters and church bells, too. Wow. I'm so lucky to be here.  It's so crazy awesome!  

I did my yoga under this tree (with the happy cows cheering me on...)