Is 'Grump-ti-tude' a word?

Carrion de Los Condes/Caldadilla de la Cueza

Sept 21. 17 km, with blisters

Rather nothing of a day. Up early, as usual, knowing that we wouldn't get far today. But I remember when the idea of walking nearly 11 miles would make me think I was really doing something. It was a very chilly morning and the sliver of a moon was quite bright as we silently made our way out of Carrion. John walked in pain most of the day. It is a blessing the we didn't have rain, and instead witnessed a nice sunrise with only a few clouds.

We went through the tiny town of Calzada Romana without stopping. I had no coffee today, which may had added to my funky mood. Our room last night was filled with snorers and my legs and feet were bothering me until the wee hours. Little sleep, no coffee and  worrying about John, makes me grumpy. Pain makes John grumpy. We were a lovely pair of pilgrims today.

At least we didn't have to walk along a highway today. My memories of our way this day are merely a blur, with its core being my concern about John. For anyone who knows him, you know he is stubborn. He was not going to stop early today. Minor words get exchanged, due to my worry and him not wanting me on to worry. I walked many steps either ahead of or behind him.

Here, on the first day of autumn, John spotted a lone crocus. Poor little confused thing. We notice the small things of nature and of God's earth, and observe ourselves in part of that world.

We are staying at a private,but crowded,albergue. 

There is a pool and a so-so courtyard and lots of nonstop talking. We had our choice of bunk beds and there were two that were pushed together, so....we grabbed them. Lower bunk beds, together. That's as good as it gets. After showers, laundry and some feet up time for John, I fortified myself with a beer and got ready for blister surgery.

The blisters are deep, under his hobbit feet calluses and the surgery tools are a needle and thread. Carefully, I pushed the sterilized needed into the callus on the right heel, trying to not hit the raw meat under the blister. I pushed the needle through,leaving the thread in, so the blister can continue to drain.  He has an identical twin on his other foot. Tomorrow we will cover them large band aids, socks and sandals. 

For tomorrow, we will walk as far as John's feet allow him. I'd like to make Sahagun, but it is 25 km away, and there is no way we can do that with Mr Blister. There are villages with places to stay every few kilometers, so we walk until John cannot anymore. With about 7 more kilometers, we will be at the half way point to Santiago de Compostello. In just over three weeks, we've gone 1/2 way. As we rid ourselves of blisters, we should be able to make some time in the flat Meseta plains do Spain.

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4:30 am. The morning we decide to lounge around, the snoring bicyclers have me awake. I really must get some better earplugs. There is something tight outside our window that sounds like  a Ping pong ball bounding in the wind. I write this only so I remember.