The Right Decision Eases the Disappointment

We went to Gretchen's doctor this morning and the PA checked out Gretchen's wound. He was really a great guy. It was so nice to be able to speak the same language and know that we all understood what we needed to understand. 

It is indeed a serious infection. He took a culture and changed her medication. We are so relieved and finally feel like Gretchen is in the hands of someone who knows what he is doing.  She will go back in a week for him fo check on the progress. He will also have the culture results at that time.

So, although the decision to come home was a very hard one, we needed to be here, and we know that.  And, we are so grateful to have had five weeks of an adventure that would be hard to repeat.

Who knows what will happen next, but I suspect you have not heard the last of Fristers and Blisters.

Home, Safe and Sound

Just wanted to let you all know, we are home, safe and sound. It was a long day but, overall a smooth one, short of the fact that Gretchen's backpack is still in Madrid. Not sure what went on, but fortunately,  having it be lost on this side of the trip is easier to deal with.

By the time Keegan picked us up at the Orlando airport (Thanks so much Keegan), and we had reported the lost bag, it was very late, so we are opting for sleep tonight, and will see the doctor in the morning.

We are relieved to be home.

Watch the movie "The Way"

For those of you who have watched the movie, "The Way", there is a segment of the movie where the hikers end in an awesome hotel where special bathrobes, and other amenities are provided.  Where Gretchen and I are tonight, makes that place pale in comparison. I took this picture so you all could be assured, Gretchen is ok. Thanks to our wonderful travel agent/friend we are in Madrid in this marvelous place.

But...Madrid...that's not the Camino. The reality is, it would appear that God has another plan for what He would like Gretchen and I to accomplish on this pilgrimage.

It is with sad regret, that I inform you that Gretchen and I must return to the states. Her wound on her back continues to be a problem.  It is not healing properly and the doctor in Burgos said we needed to go back to the states so that she can get the appropriate treatment.  Traveling from one little village to another with unknown medical support is just not going to provide the  consistency of treatment that she needs.

We were blessed to be in Burgos where the voice of reason at hand made us realize we had to bite the bullet, and begin our trip home on Sunday.

We headed to Madrid by bus today after another visit to the doctors to assure everything was stabilized and we will fly back to the states on Monday.

Gretchen has been an amazing patient, and overall is feeling fine. But the wound must be cared for and the cause determined  and that needs to be done in the states.

We Are in Burgos Tonight

We are very tired tonight, but this is the view from our hotel room. Yes, not your regular albergue. 😉

Hiking Shoes/Boots Anyone?

So, standard operating procedures when you arrive at an albergue - after you check in, and get your credential stamped, you take off your hiking shoes and put them on a rack, (There are more shelves than shown in this picture) you put your walking sticks in a nearby bin. The shoes are beyond dusty and dirty with things on them you would do best not to think of. And...they might just be ever so slightly smelly, so not having these in the room you sleep in makes sense. Once shoes have been removed, you get a tour of where everything is... showers, WCs,  find outside clothes line for hand washing,  kitchen, given curfew rules, bed sheets- which you often pay for, and they are disposable , and then, your work begins.

This picture was from the night we stayed at the 217 person albergue. But I thought it might give you a little better understanding of an albergue.

Tonight we are in a small hostal in Villafranca. We like smaller places.

p.s.  Gretchen's and my shoes are on the far left shelf, third row down from the top, and, I think, 2nd and 3rd in...if you are curious. It's so dusty now, all shoes look about the same.

Our Kind of Trail

Now that we are finally connected with the French Way, so much has changed. We have bunches of other Pilgrims ahead and behind us. There are plenty of markers that are getting fancier the further we go. The trails might be a little rocky here and there, but overall, seem like walking on a nice road. The Camino trail seems heavily focused on the Perrigrinos' safety. That was definitely not the case when we started. It was downright dangerous in places. We will NEVER take the Camino for granted

When we were in the Lourdes Confusion Way,, we saw maybe five Perrigrinos the whole way.

It is really cool in the section of Spain we are in now...farmland, rolling hills of patchwork greens, browns, and yellows. It has gone from vineyards and olive trees, to potatoes, onions, sunflowers , and fields prepared for winter. In amongst all that are the Santiago trails which you can see from far off with little tiny pilgrims that look like ants.

We made good progress today and are actually in
Belorado.  Tomorrow will be a shorter day. Our plan is for Villafranco.

St. James & the Purple Hat Ladies

Our purple hats are being recognized by other pilgrims. We have had perfect strangers ask if they could take our picture. Many need to know where we got them so they can buy one. Even a bicyclist stopped going up a hill to take our picture. People we have gotten to know look for our hats in order find us.

For us, the hats have gone from being a total annoyance to a source of warmth, fly detractor, and sun shield.

Today, as we were walking along the trail, I noticed that our shadows, with purple hats, have taken on a type of St. James silhouette,  which is kind of cool. His silhouette is depicted in many places along the way. Next time I see one, I will take a picture and post it.

Our day was good. 13 miles to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. And we had a busy but enjoyable afternoon. We are in an albergue with 217 others. Our room only has 16.  I believe I am the oldest in the room.

Tomorrow, Villa Mayor del Rio.

Chilly Walk to Nájera

Today was our first truly chilly day, for us. The highs were in the mid 60's, and it was windy.  Fortunately, we had on the wonderful  Buffs, which Keegan gave us before we left.  They are pulled over are heads. That, with our hats made a world of difference. There are a ton of Buffs on the Camino.  They are used for all weather.

We are standing in front of another vineyard. The grapes are hanging heavily behind us. Our destination, Nájera, is behind us.

Another good day.

Spanish Squirrel

On our walk today, we saw a black, and then, this red squirrel.  They were really big with pointy feathery ears. We also saw a whole bunch of swans!

Albergue in Navarrete

We are staying in this 12 person room at Navarrete tonight. 6 bunkbeds. And there are 3 other rooms like this, and maybe a couple of doubles.  It costs 10€ a piece. I am on the top bunk. Men and women are in the same room. They are sold out tonight.

The place is actually quite nice. Lots of light from lots of windows. Very clean. Nice proprietor.  So, we are good to go.

We walked 14 miles today .  That's pretty good given all that has gone on. But we did it and felt good.  We are a little weary today, but for me, it was probably the result of a snore filled night last night. I didn't have my ear plugs, and couldn't easily get to  them. That wont happen tonight.

So, we are doing good!!!