Day 7

It is really starting to turn into a walking holiday rather than a Pilgrimage.  Glorious sunshine, fantastic views and we just missed the rain...

We were discussing how we could punish ourselves. Perhaps remove out shoes and go without dinner. Although  we were walking into a very strong crosswind at times and todays walk was long so the shoes stayed on and I have not gone hungry. All this  time simply walking with no other pressures is luxurious and you can enjoy day long meandering conversations with fellow pilgrims. Todays conversation with Ludger was mainly a German lesson. I was surprised at how much I remembered from school and together with some expert teaching am now able to say months, days of the week, seasons, numbers, rooms and some furniture. In exchange I continue to share English phrases ('two shakes of a lambs tail' has been his favourite for some reason!). Unfortunately by the time we arrived in Lorgrono we had lost our Italian friend who had promised to cook us Carbonara.  I cooked instead and made us a giant batch of stir fried vegetables with cashew nuts and rice. My diet has been slightly poor, consisting mainly of bread and pasta so I enjoyed a nice veg hit.

This evening I have been reminded I am not on a walking holiday but on a very unique journey surrounded by others who have opened there hearts and minds to this experience. I'll shall have to remember when I get back to the UK that it is not normal to be so chatty with complete strangers. Tonight I met a French lad who started his Camino in Nyon and has already been walking for 31 days. He has finished his studies and not sure what he wants to do next.