10-3-13

What a wonderful birthday party I had! The night before my actual birthday.  Mary and I were staying at a family-run casa rural in Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos and at dinner there was a candle to blow out in my homemade lemon mousse, happy birthday sung in three languages and a flute serenade from an interesting fellow from Holland!

BUT on October first, a day of rain and wind and red Mud muck, we got seriously lost and probably walked 30 km or so before we and 4 other peregrinos perdidos asked a woman to call us a cab for what turned out to be the last 4 Kms. I figure my 72nd year can only go up from there!  Thank heavens I had shipped my pack or I would have really been a wreck.

When we arrived at our little Hostal in Mansillas de las Mulas, we found a small pot of red roses with a birthday note from Pia!  She was staying at an alberque - having hopped off there instead if going on to Leon,

I am staying an extra day in Leon - at a hotel recommended by Ron Henry - my foot and knee are much better, but I feel another easy day will be good.  I'll lose some friends, but who knows?  I might catch them up later.

I am now 50 Kms past the halfway mark.

Whew!  It is a big effort but I am so glad to be here.  It sounds corny,  but when the going gets rough, I think, "offer it up for the river."

Enough staring at this tiny keyboard!

Love to all,

MBR