New friends

My first kilometre this morning was on a dirt path that was overgrown with moss, a soft squishy delight for my tired feet. After that I wove through sleepy towns for a few kilometres. Then I was onto a asphalt pathway beside a highway.

I soon came across another pilgrim, I could see his feet were also tired because like me he was trying to walk in the white line separating us from the highway. The line provided enough sponginess to make the effort of trying to walk on the line worthwhile. I eventually passed him when stopped to adjust his backpack and he passed me when I stopped to grab some snacks.

In Santillana I stopped for second breakfast and the sand pilgrim was there. He said hello and asked me to join him and said he recognised me from the way. I thought he meant when we passed today. But actually he had recognised me from places in France. He had also started in Le Puy and it turns out we started walking on the same day. He also navigated the Voie Nive Bidassoa, and like me he didn’t see another pilgrim the whole walk. We said goodbye after our coffee, I kept going and he went to the tourist office to find a stamp. I wonder if I’ll see him again.

Not long after I ran into Edward and his dog Bindy who I met in Guemes, we walked together for a few kilometres before he went to explore one of the beaches. Then Laslo joined me for a bit. He’s been walking with a friend and I’d seen them a few times on the trail. Unfortunately his friend hurt his knee and had left the way. We walked together all the way to Playa du Luana where I stay tonight. He kept walking. My feet don’t hurt nearly as much today.