Second day, setting our own pace

On the trail.

Rocky pathway of El Camino.

Julie, with a bag of cherries, leading the way.

Approaching a small town.

El Camino with grapevines on the right.

So, as we arrived at the albergue at 4:30 yesterday, we thought that we were the last stragglers.  Not even close.  Pilgrims continued to arrived up until 8:30 when there was only the floor to sleep on.  It seems that even this far from Santiago, there is a shortage of rooms.  We went to the market, and bought sandwiches for dinner and lunch the following day.  We were warned that there might not be any stores open on Sunday.

We were tired from the day, so we were some of the first pilgims in bed around 9:00.  Wanting to get an earlier start to the day, we set our alarm for 5:30am, which proved unnecessary as people started getting up between 4:30 and 5:00.  We ate some hard boiled eggs, packed up, and were on the road by 6:30, over an hour better than the prior day.  

It was cool (65 degrees) in the morning, and we were toward the last half of the pilgrims to leave.  We exited town and proceeded to have a nice walk through the Spanish countryside.  We walked was valongside other pilgrims, briefly talked with them, before they moved on.  Oh, the second day should be better than the first everyone advised us.  As a group, it sure didn't feel that way.  Around the 5 kilometer mark, we hit our first steep hill and were passed by a lot of people who were slower to leave Puente de Reina.

After a climb of about 200 meters, we're we done with the biggest climb of the day, but were faced with rolling hills of constant up and downs.  By 10:30, it was really starting to get hot.  We agreed we would have to start out even earlier the next morning.  Hit the road by 5:30 to beat the heat.  Our pace slowed considerably.  Our plan of 12 miles would take at least 8 hours now, and the sun was relentless.

I checked the guidebook, and there was an albergue 1 mile away and 4 miles away.  I asked the group what they wanted to do and they left it up to me.  As we entered Lorca, there was a sign for a small albergue with small rooms.  We stopped and they had a room for 4, so it was time to call it a day after about 8 miles.  Our bodies needed rest. It was time to set our own pace.  

Emi at age 14 is clearly the youngest person that we have seen.  Gisela and I are more toward the older side of people.  Julie, our leader and encourager, was probably the second youngest, but doing the best of the four of us.  Her school had prepared her well in knowledge of backpacking, leadership, and strength.

Know, we were able to enjoy a nice lunch, go to the small church, and take a nap.  After church, the priest spent about 15 minutes with us explaining some history of el Camino and his life.  He very appreciative our our journey.  So, we have decided to slow things down, listen to our bodies, and take time to really enjoy the journey instead of trying to race from town to town.  I want Emi and Julie to remember this trip fondly and not as the time their father tried to kill them.

We will adjust our schedule, but still finish in Santiago.  As our bodies feel better, we will try to do more, but always taking the time to enjoy the towns.  Today was much more enjoyable because we were able to take our time.