Rick, Maryka and I are in Barbadelo, just west of Sarria. Very lush here compared to the desert I was in yesterday morning. I am looking at oaks, poplar, birch and a laurel hedge; looks like home.

Kelly is lounging in Leon. Ladies, a tip. In Leon I spent an hour and a half sitting by the Cathedral waiting to say Happy Birthday to Angelia but she was on the road somewhere Caminoheading along. But it gave me time to place all the stones and build the thing. But I came up with more questions than answers. How did they do this and how did they do that? Oh well.

I lost the stylus that cost me 5 euro and an hour of searching around in the big city with Gracie. Oh well. Rick just handed me an extra one that he stole from Kelly. See how it works?

Annie, message for you. Maryka had a dream last night in the albergue that you will have a big lucky windfall. So keep your eyes open!

Also Rick started a blog: www.oldperegrino.blogspot.com . More Camino happenings to check in on. Yup.

OK, have to shower and do laundry. Maybe take a nap. Say a rosary for my stone pile and pilgrims struggling along the way. Till later, all good, Hotel California

This is incredible and totally unexpected. Todd, Rebecca, Jessica and I rolled into town to meet my old friend Rick from home who is going to walk the last 100k. Yes, but who did he bring with him but his beautiful daughter, Maryka. She walked with me back home in the snow and rain. We have fun.

Kelly should be in Leon lounging around in a hotel. He pinned a note on my shirt for Rick. In other words, he figured that I would mess that up. Kelly, really?

Galicia, is totally green and lush. A real change from the Meseta, that we had grown to know and almost love. OK, so, that’s it for now. Love you all, Phil.

We are in Mansilla de las Mulas after a 24 k hike. I was with Todd and Kelly. Had a very high level talk with Todd and then there was Kelly… He feels so responsible for my well being and is so afraid that I will go astray after I leave him tomorrow that he insisted on giving me the big lecture. Yike! It was full frontal Kelly. I mean what trouble could I possibly get in?

I know that he is going for a raise so he is trying extra hard. But really he has been the best buddy for me. Tomorrow we will say goodbye for I will be busing ahead to meet up with my other buddy Rick at the monastery at Samos. Ever onward!

Well, the Sheriff just rode in to help me get this evenings party started. He is turning into my favorite Egyptian! Well right I don’t know that many. And I was hoping that we would catch up with Angela but I hear that she is up ahead. OK, best wishes Angela!

Cherry just showed up and Kelly. We have a international forum cooking. Laurence from England showed up who operated on Kelly yesterday is here. I’m sorry that I miscalled him a German, but oh well. Mary Margret is here so anything could happen!

Todd is going to do some interviews momentarily. We did some amazing filming this morning. The rising sun was beautiful along with the local countryside and architecture.

All good. Ever onward and all that. We miss you Angelia. I think that I will publish this before something unexpected happens. Love you all, SJA, Phil.

Kelly and I made it in. Sitting with Miguel and Carman. Need to shower and eat. Later, Phil.

Here’s Miguel: Life’s what happens ..while you’re planning it…so go out there n start walking your own Camino…Ultreia Peregrino…a.m.d.g.

We got a more expensive room at a hostel and I got to soak in the tub. Now some dinner and then there is some filming to do at sunset. Tough duty, right?

Just want to cover some random memories from random days. Things tend to flow together after a while. One was talking
squenches with Mary Margret who is a professor of such things and I am remembering fragments of art history from long ago. A
squench is a small triangular feature that happens when arches meet domes. Two, was a breakfast on the fly of sardines and chocolate. That was interesting and nutritious. Three, was the young German man that worked on Kelly’s blisters today who reassured him by saying it’s OK I’m a biology major. He did a nice job patching him up and I got another 6 k out of him.

Alvaro, Kelly and I sitting in the shade having some refreshments. Back on the road in a minute. Thinking of all you nurses,friends and angels, Phil.

There was one minute to go before my wine curfew this evening at 2030 and I had to finish, oh, let me stop there. Well, new angels have arrived and we haven’t had this much this much fun since summer camp in seventh grade.

Kelly needs some comments about his biscotti, please. What is with all this excitement about guys that cook anyway? Ok, Kelly is awesome, we already know that.

OK, so, we went to Mass this evening in this town and it was most beautiful. They had a wonderful pilgrim blessing afterward. There probably 75 pilgrims there most of whom were Italian. There are big groups of Italian seminarians that are walking.

Todd is back after a quick trip to the States to film a wedding. Jess and Rebecca are fine. Mary Margret and Angelia are on board for the walk tomorrow. It will be a long day tomorrow with few towns and few ice cream sandwiches. Lov you all, Phil.

In town and ready to shower. Back in groove again after two hard days. More good people to inspire me. That’s our job to inspire each other, right?

We have getting up earlier and earlier each morning so that we can get more kilometers in before the afternoon sun. So will have to turn in soon but anytime the wifi is working I try to get a post out. I have been getting some great comments on the blog posts lately. Keep them coming gang!

Here is the real Kelly at home in his baker mode. Biscotti for friends and neighbors. Have to go, keep tuned, Phil.

The Meseta is the high plain in central northern Spain. It is a place of too much sun, too much wind, too much a lot of stuff. Not like Sleepy Hollow, not like anything but the outback. It ground me down today. We walked twenty km okay which should be an easy day but it beat me up.

This is the first time that I don’t recognize anyone around here. You know how much fun your friends can be and when there are none you can get depressed. So, I am fighting to get to a good mood.

Okay, so that is all I have for you today. Just missing my angels and good buddies. Off to Carrion de Los Condes tomorrow. Love, Phil.