5/18/17 – 15.7km/9.8mi from Portugalete to Pobeña with relatively flat walking.
We knew the weather report said it would rain heavily today and boy did it ever. And the day started on a bad note – someone who I guess was unprepared for the rain STOLE MY BACKPACK COVER. What audacity – I’ve always felt that the Camino is about something better and bigger than just stealing from other people when you realize you forgot to pack something. I tried to not dwell too much on this little setback, and fortunately I also carry an emergency poncho.
I got a late start and most of the people in my albergue headed off before me. The rain was hard and unrelenting. Anyone was fully soaked within 30-45 minutes. Joe and I headed out together but I fell behind when I felt how wet my feet were and stopped under a bridge to change socks. Better to fall behind a bit than to have blisters on your feet! The day was miserable, grey, cold, and waterlogged. Walking alone, I passed a town, Pobeña, where I figured that despite the rain, I could continue on since we had had a fairly easy day yesterday.
I wasn’t sure where others were as I was walking solo. But, Joe called me before I had gone too far and told me that a large bunch were back in Pobeña. So I backtracked, joined them, dried off, and so it was another short day. If you can spare the extra euros, it’s always worth picking up a Spanish SIM card, which allows you to call ahead for accommodations, and stay in touch with your trailmates. After a nice lunch with David, Joe, Keith, and 2 new friends, Katharina and Wooju, and a walk on the beach (that ice cold ocean water will heal any muscle pains), I decided to take some shelter from the rain and rest up for the day. Onward tomorrow!
