Footsteps to Journeys

13 miles

After consulting with the farmacia, I was told that my ligament was enflamed and exhausted. I was told to rest it…very emphatically. At least Dale was, since I was unable to walk to it. It seems he received a stern scolding and told that it was his job to make me comply! So I stayed off it, applied dermaplast cooling gel and took Advil. 

Next morning it felt much better and we arranged to have my pack moved to Pamplona. It was evident that there was no way I could carry it.

Darko and Mai

Introducing Darko and Mai, his Rhodesian Ridgeback. We met at the albergue where were staying and here’s their story.

They are from Croatia, and as he was planning this journey his fiancé could see he really wanted to bring Mai and encouraged him to do it. The only big issue was carrying her food. She has to have a special food so he can’t just pick some up at the supermarket.

Solution: Drive his car and walk each stage of the Camino. At each point he goes back to the previous town (same day) to drive the car forward to where they’re staying. WOW! That is such devotion–they are becoming a Camino legend!

Back to my pack. Darko volunteered to bring it to Pamplona for me when he retrieved his car! The sayings that the Camino provides, and no Camino solo are true!

Pushing On

Even without my pack, the knee soon began to act up. We decided I should grab a cab at the first town. The only problem…no taxi! Or at the next…or the next. In the end, I walked to Pamplona, but knowing I would not be walking for at least 2 days.

Which is what happened. Dale walked and I rode to Puente la Reina and the next day to Estella. Disappointed doesn’t cover it! Still, as everyone kept telling me, every person’s Camino is unique to them for a reason!

Green farmland as we leave Zubiri along the River Arga