October 2/11 O´Cebreiro - Triacastela (22KM)

Dad and I had a fantastic dady today. The terrain was very comfortable for the most part.  We were up in the mountains for the most part and enjoyed the scenery.  We met Susan from London today and travelled with her for a short time.  It was nice to have some company and get to know someone knew.
We struggled however with the decent down the mountain.  It was nothing I have ever experienced before.  Very painful on the feet and knees.  We had done so well up until this point.  Dad´s poor feet took a beating as did mine and our calves were screaming!!
When we did finally get down that mountain we met a couple of people from Ireland. God you got a love people with an accent like that!  Triena and Deklin.  They thought it was so great that a father and daughter were doing the Camino together.  They were staying at an Allbergue, but we moved on to a Pension which was more private very much like a hotel. After our first time in an allbergue it was like being in a barnyard.  I didn´t sleep a wink and was sooo grumpy the next morning.  After a nice hot shower and a change of clothes Dad and I went out for some dinner.  We had bacon, rice, sausage, and fried eggs with a bottle of red wine. Everything, just so you know, comes with wine you can´t escape it.  I had 3 glasses, and no dad didn´t have to carry me home. ha ha.
In finding this Pension dad and I had run into a couple of women who stopped us. It appears that rumours had been running through the grapevine or down the Peregrino lines already.  These women noticed the Canada flag on my bag and stopped us to ask me if this man I was with was the, what I understood as the one who was doing his 78th Camino. LOL  well what had happened was that Susan from London must have told someone that Dad would be 78 years old next month and was doing the camino with his daughter.  we laughed, but were delighted obviously.  But just so you know Dad is not the oldest one doing this Trek this year.  We have run into a tour group of 30+ from Norway and one of the women is 79 1/2 and another woman is 74.  You should see this group move. They are trucking it. We pass them and they pass us..it goes on and on. Everytime they see us though they yell out ´Hey Canada!´ I just laugh and joke to dad to ´WATCH OUT the Norweigens are coming!´

October 1/11 Villafranca Del Bierzo - O´Cebreiro

It´s been a busy couple of days.  Yesterday Dad and I walked from  Villafranca Del Bierzo to Pereje to Trabadelo.  It was SMOKING hot!!  9.5 kilometers later we get to Portela where we took a bus to Pedrafita and a taxi to O´Cebreiro.  The reason for this is that from Portela its is an uphill climb right to O´Cebreiro.  We were looking at 15km up a mountain. Normally this would be something I would welcome, however with dad´s bionic hips (hip replacements) he shouldn´t be at a 45 degree angle.  All of the mountains we´ve climbed and yes they are mountains, have been incredibly steep.  The unfortunately thing is the happiness of meeting that goal and getting to the top ends quite shortly when you see what the angle of decline in which you must follow with.  I can´t believe my Dad has done this particular route 31/2 times.  I know how I feel, how my feet feel at the end of the day and my calves have never EVER been tighter.  The knots..good god!  I´m fortunate to have escaped thus far without any serious blisters.

The Beginning - Ponferrada-Cacebelos September 29/11

Fortaleza Templara Ponferrada

 Dad and I took a bus to Ponferrada from Leon.  Ponferrada was our original starting point. It´s 200 km from Santiago.  In order to qualify for your Compastella you need to walk at least 100km.  With the time line I have of 2 weeks we´d thought we´d squeak in another 100k what the heck.
I had always asked dad how he knew where to go, but quite honestly if you know what to look for it is very easy.  The scallop shells in the cobble stone roads, the yellow arrows painted on the side of  a wall and on the pavement,  and upright signs at most intersections with a Peregrino and scallop shell pointing the way.  It´s really very interesting.
The weather has been fantastic, but also a scorcher depending on if you have any shelter while your walking.  We have walked through the most immaculate paths and country side you could imagine. You can´t imagine this stuff up, and it´s all natural.  My jaw has been on the floor on more than one occasion. 

We walked through a vineyard today.  The smell was unbelievable.  Wine itself doesn´t smell this good!  it was beautiful and just fascinating.  In the middle of this vineyard I decided to leave my first dedication to a wonderful lady who passed away recently of a brain tumor.  I wrote her name on a live strong wrist band and placed it on a branch amongst the vines along side this path of this vineyard.  I felt it was a perfect place for her to enjoy such beautiful scenery, scents and to enjoy one of the richest things in life.  To say it was emotional for me is an understatement.  Many mixed emotions, but what better place for my memory of her to be.  Enjoying a nice glass of vino over looking the vineyard. Rest in peace Sara.