Our accommodation last night was adequate, a few guys too loud when they came in at 11pm, but we survived.
Morning was slow, walked into town found place for coffee primarily because I needed to pee. Off we went. Destination ~7 miles down the trail. I woke with sore heels and I decided 6 or 7 miles was all I would do today.
Today was muddy and slippery and very windy. More trails today vs highway/roads. That is my preference, gets us off the beaten path.
Pretty areas with lots of green trees, several eucalyptus groves and bamboo groves.
Took break at 1130, took off shoes and socks and stretched. Saw a few peregrinos walk by and one who stopped to visit. He was Italian, taking 3 weeks to do part of the Camino.
Doing parts of the Camino is common in Europe, since it is so easy to get around many peregrinos do a week or two a year until they've done the length. Many do Camino more than once. One woman, 79 years old, had lost count how many times she'd walked the camino. Doing it in chunks at a time is easier, I wonder, at times, if I've bitten off too much.
We were within a few miles of our destination at this point, my feet were ready to be there. After our break, my left heel suddenly felt like needles were being pushed up through the middle. Incredible pain that came suddenly and within 25 minutes, left suddenly too. I am very confused by this heel/foot issue.
As we walked our last two miles, we came across several bee hives. Very neatly stacked with rock on top each one to hold lid on. Out of nowhere, I heard a bee buzzing in my hair. The wind had blown him there and he was terrified, so was I.
Having had a few unpleasant encounters with yellow jackets on my head, I envisioned a sting I wouldn't soon forget. The bee was panicking and just wanted out of this mess of gray hair he'd been blown into. He stung quickly in his panic as I called for Paulette to help get him out of my hair. He was extinguished as soon as Paulette could get him out. Thank god that was over.
I began to wonder, what is next, seriously; my toe nail was falling off, my feet ached, and now I've been stung on the top of my head by a bee. I know, could be much worse, but when you are in the throws of panic, nothing seemed like it could be worse.
I survived the bee attack, my head doesn't even hurt, lesson learned...don't jump to conclusions.
We arrived in Santa Marina at about 130, found our lodging, decided to shower and eat. We'd completed 7.44 miles, we were tired. Yes, that is short day and not what I had wanted to be able to do, but my feet are dictating the days.
A wonderful woman greeted us at the bar and took us across the street to our accomodations. She ran the bar/restaurant and the "pensions" as they are called here. We have a private room, with private bathroom and a meal for 23€. Bargain.
We went back across street to eat our fine meal with wine. Used my translator on my phone to check on washer and dryer situation. She indicated she had washer and she would take care of it. After two muddy days of walking, we needed to get things washed.
After meal, went back to room, got our clothes for washing. I made trek back across street and dropped off clothes. Trekked back to room, time for nap.
Two hour nap, much needed, felt good. It's 530 now, bar closed and reopens at 8, which is typical schedule in Spain. I'm blogging, Paulette is sleeping.
Paulette's knee issue has improved greatly. She found a brace mechanism that seems to have solved the issue. I asked Enumclaw Yoga expert,Jean Holland, advice through Facebook, on my heel/foot issue. She suggested rolling foot over tennis ball, will have to find tennis ball (or a different type ball) and try it. Nights are the worst problem with my heel, excruciating pain.
It's been a good day.
Day Thirteen Done!
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