Days 9 and 10 - Lugo to Boente - 51.5 kms

Day 9 - Lugo to Ferreira - 27 kms

Day 10 - Ferreira to Boente - 24.5 kms

Hola amigos

When I last wrote to you it was Tuesday afternoon in Lugo. We had enjoyed a delightful few hours exploring the old town and were about to leave Pensione Alba to meet our friend Maurice (M. Chevalier) for his farewell dinner. 

The 48 hours since then have been a joy, which may surprise given it has rained almost the entire time.  This morning we were drenched after the first 20 minutes. Once you're that wet, you really can't get any wetter. What's another 6 hours? Yesterday was only slightly better, weather wise. This explains why this post has few outdoor photos. For most of yesterday's walking and all of today's, my camera was buried deep in my pack for safe keeping from the rain. But I hope the 'internal' shots will make up for missing out on the beautiful Galician countryside. Perhaps tomorrow. 

It may be difficult to understand how walking 25+ kms in the rain with a pack on your back is not a big deal and can even be enjoyable ... but that is The Way.  Jill and Sheryl, and any other Camino amigos reading this, will vouch that it's true. You take the weather as it presents itself, and you walk.  And on a day like today, you find yourself grateful that it's not humid, cold or windy. 

The weather on The Camino, always variable, presents wonderful metaphors for life. And I am always happy for the reminders. Don't worry about things you can't control. And always look for - and be grateful for - the blessings. Note to self: remember this!  

So, back to Lugo and our dinner with Maurice Chevalier. During the afternoon, Dominique and I had also seen Martine and Guy, with whom we've shared dinner most nights this past week, along with Maurice. We mentioned we would be meeting Maurice outside the Cathedral at 7.30 if they would like to join us. So we were delighted to see them there at the appointed time. Maurice arrived with Mary and Miriam, the mother and daughter from New Zealand whom we'd met a few days earlier. 

Our group of seven found a small and lively looking restaurant in one of the narrow streets of the old town. What a great night we had. With Dominique and I the most proficient Spanish speakers, ordering was a challenge. In the end, our waiter was sympatico and seemed to understand our disadvantage. We managed to ask him to bring some platters of whatever he thought we might like -enough for seven - and so he did!  After dinner, we all walked along the 2.2 km Roman wall again. It was the perfect way to end the night and farewell Maurice. 

I was going to write more in this update about our fabulous albergue from last night where, again with Martine and Guy, we shared a room and a fabulous paella dinner. Jill, you can guess that it reminded me of that wonderful night in Homtanas with Sheryl, Glenn, Bob and the children of the Camino, Evan and Jane. But time has caught up with me again, after another wonderful evening with my french amies, and it's almost time for lights out. Perhaps I will be able to tell more tomorrow about some of the interior photos I've included in this post. 

Also I want to tell you about my experience of being on the Camino Frances for the third time. The Primitivo ends in Melide where it joins the Camino Frances for the final 50 kms to Santiago. That happened this afternoon and we walked on about 5 kms to our albergue tonight in Boente. More on that tomorrow. 

Two things before saying good night. 

Firstly, Jill, tomorrow night - our last before walking into Santiago - Dominique and I are staying at the lovely casa rural where you and I stayed on our last night. I got 'on the google', found their website, and emailed to ask if they could accommodate us. We will have dinner at their lovely restaurant, which I know you will remember. 

Secondly, and I hope I don't forget anyone, thank you for your emails and comments these past two days to Helen (Mum), Helen C, Dad and Elaine, Jill, Sheryl, Pam, Julie, Judy, Amanda and Mandi. 

Muchas gracias, hasta luego

J x