Continuing sunny weather - still not a drop of rain. We´re doing some long days, some not so long - always trying to look ahead and judge how much time we´ll need to cover what are some pretty long marches in the guidebook. Shooting for Santiago on Oct 31st.
Walked most of yesterday on a Roman Road that was used by, among others, Ceasar Augustus, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi and of course Saint James (Santiago).
I´m gaining a new perspective on the expression,¨Where the rubber meets the road¨. We use it as a metaphor but after 24 days of walking it has a very literal and immediate meaning. One learns that the quality of the rubber on your feet - and of every material between the rubber and your feet (insoles, layers of socks, bandages, moleskin, vaseline) - is critical.
And it really matters whether ¨the road¨ is in fact flat or up and down, straight or curving. And most of all, whether it is the pavement of a city or asphalt of a country lane (rarely), a path in the woods (also rare) or a dirt road. And, if a dirt road, is it in fact earthen, gravel, or rocky like the Roman road? Is it flat or rutted, are there clear tracks to walk in or must one balance on the centre or a cambered shoulder? Are there patches of shade or is it in full sun? Is the wind blowing the dust from the fields in your direction or away?
For hundreds of years and thousands of pilgrims, these things have mattered.
I think I may actually have created a comment after sooo many attempts! Thought you might be back in Canada before I learned how to do it!!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great - gives us a good idea of what you are seeing/feeling.
Over half way walked - congratulations. Just under 300kms to go!! Thinking of you and your poor feet.