I listened to the steady rain as I lay in my bunk this morning (wishing Nelson could bring me a latte) and could think of no good reason to hurry out into the weather.  Not very pilgrim-like of me. Most mornings start very early and involve a sleepwalk into the next town for café con leche. Today is the day, I decided. Today I shall stay in this village until their cafe opens! 

 

 
 

 

It was mid-morning before I finally rolled out onto the trail, joining up with the only other remaining peregrinos — a group of Spaniards who departed the cafe in a haze of smoke and caffeine-fueled chatter. 

Like many others at this stage of the Camino, they had sent their backpacks on ahead to their next destination and were walking with only small day packs. 

Unless I get injured, I have no intention of parting with my backpack. Not out of any sense of false pride (just look those light and happy Spaniards, practically floating along the trail). 

No, my pack needs to stay with me because I have a thermal comfort zone which only varies about five degrees and I spend much of my day seeking that zone (hat on, hat off; gloves on, gloves off; mud flaps on, mud flaps off…). 

 
So I need my stuff. I didn’t bring too much and I use everything pretty much every day. Besides, I love the flexibility of deciding when I want to keep walking and when I want to stop for the night. Flexibility outweighs any pack.

More loveliness from the Meseta- who knew??