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.

Having dinner at a lovely place with some lovely people and I talked them into saying a few few words about their day:

Mary from New Zealand here: We met these two crazy guys Kelly and Phil last night at the pilgrim’s meal at the albergue in Rabe de las Calzadas and they have followed us all day today. It’s been a good day however, the scenery has been beautiful and the weather much cooler. What more could one ask for. And after a good night’s rest we will begin the walking all over again. It’s an amazing community of people walking this Camino with us. Go well, all you pilgrims, whatever your reason is for subjecting yourself to this experience. We are like one big happy family.

Clara reminded me of something today and I thought that I would pass it on. They say that your Camino begins when you get to Santiago, meaning the real challenge is returning to your life and applying what you have learned. Ah, what will that look like? OK, have go and prepare for tomorrow, Phil.

I have time so I will post again. Just developed a new drink sensation but I haven’t named it yet but a glass of Spanish beer with a lavender blossom thrown in is pretty darn good. Multi tasking these daze is blogging and drink development. What a deal.

Today I spent a lovely profitable time walking with a lady named Clara from Assi, Italy. She teaches high school philosophy and history there. Today is the feast day for St Clara so she was getting phone call after phone call wishing her well. Nice. She went on to San Nicholas to stay because she served there as a volunteer in the past. They are supposed to have good Italian coffee there so we will stop tomorrow and check it out.

Really, I am capturing ten percent of what there is to capture here but hopefully it will do. Things are so rich after you’ve walked till you’re giddy and brain dead that it is hard to describe. Of course, that is my job so I will try harder. Maybe time for a pic or two.

Arrived at Castrojeriz. Sun hot and we are sheltered at the albergue. Need to shower and wash my sweaty clothes and then find a beer, long day.

I was thinking about it being Monday and some of my friends and angels are back to work in places like Miami and Barcelona. I was singing the official song of Hotel California for you, Vella Chiruca. You are dear ones.

Just looked at my pedometer and have 45,188 steps today. That’s ridiculous! Miller Time for sure.

Just want mention the instructions that Phil’s Angels left so that I would not get into trouble after they flew away: 1. Eat more. 2. Hydrate more. 3. No drinking after 2130. 4. Remember to take your meds. 5. There are always angels. This good advice for us all of course.

About ready to go out on the Meseta and having an orange juice in the town of Tardajos. I am mourning loosing Gracie, Official Camino Flight Nurse.

Gracie agreed with the vision of heaven being the picnic in the sunset in Viana but wanted Sam Cook to be there so yes of course. So, today is starting to unfold and looking forward to more surprises. Kelly promised me an ice cream bar if I can get myself to the next town.

There is a bull fight poster that I have to have a photo of. Maybe I can get in on this blog.