The magic continues with a few bumps and bruises…perfect weather… strong walking over what felt like a tougher day…a few new walking friends…a very peaceful day overall.
We walked 25 kms over 5:40 hours at an average walking speed of 4.4 kms per hour. The ascent was 790 meters and the descent was 885 meters for a total 1,675 meters which is close to the highest total so far.
What made the day more challenging was a very steep section which seemed to go on forever…ok maybe 30 minutes with about 8 kms to go. Holy smokes at times I thought we were walking at a 45 - 50 degree angle…Paulo thinks 40 max so let’s agree on 47.5 degrees.
I did a little research and found the following:
An able-bodied person might go up an incline that is 45 degrees to 50 degrees without the need of a harness, spotter, safety handles, or restraint. People who have excellent balance and great centers of gravity fall into this group of people who can climb such things unassisted.
Anything above 50 degrees in the angle of the incline will require a harness or other safety device to help prevent injuries just in case of slippage or fallback drops which can happen if the person goes off balance in the incline climbing.
That was tough so I am comfortable with my 47.5 degree assertion 🙂
Going back to last night we had a special dinner with a number of other pilgrim walkers…it was good fun!
Starting from the front center and going clockwise…Chris - Germany, Didier and Sylvia - France, Paulo - Brazil, Pierre - Belgium, me - Canada, Syp - Holland, Georg - Germany
Of course many languages are spoken…one understands parts of conversations but somehow it all works out! Unfortunately Syp has suffered a shin splint injury (had to take a taxi part way) and will stay an extra day in Fonsegrada so not sure if we will see him again.
Supper was great although a little carb heavy 😂with no vegetables 😞
The morning started a little tough as were a bit lost getting out of Fonsegrada. Wikiloc wanted us to go one way…the Camino signs said the opposite and other walkers were of course following the Camino signs.
Paulo prevailed and we ignored Wikiloc and I blurted out “what’s the point of this stupid app…it’s of no use“ Anyone who know me well is aware that I can lose perspective at times however I did notice Wikiloc saying “Do you want to walk in reverse?”
So I clicked yes and voila all was good and Wikiloc was in my good books again. My little mini meltdown…”this is a piece of 💩”only lasted a few minutes and all was forgotten…except Paulo mentioned it an hour ago 😂
A couple of early morning photos
Injury Report
Overall, considering the distances walked and the high ascent/descents we are in good shape however…
Paulo - toe blister has had required surgery and is healing nicely. Continues to use Dr Miagi treatment (apparently a reference to Karate Kid movie) of stretching muscle from knee downward to ankle for with Planter fasciitis issue
Me - toe blister has just appeared…did not even feel it. After consultation with Dr Paulo will defer surgery for now. Left ankle a bit sore after walks and possible fasciitis flare up on left foot (steep ascent 🥵) Will do Dr Miagi treatment tonight
So all in all doing well…must continue to be vigilant though!
Met a few new walkers today/last night:
Sylvia & Didier - France
Barbara - Switzerland
John & Carmel - Ireland We walked quite a ways with this nice couple.
They are walking for a week at a time and will leave from Lugo. John retired 15 years ago at 50 from the Police force and now renovates houses…he referred to it as his 180 degree turn in life!
John volunteered two facts about bees 🐝 which I thought you should all know:
1) In small African villages where the risk of stampeding elephants is high they hang bee hives around the village crops…apparently this stops the elephants cold
2) On a NASA space mission they took some bees and let a few loose…bees wing receptors do not work in the non gravitational space
therefore they cannot fly…only float.
It is very possible that John was pulling my leg on these and is currently telling others about the gullible funny looking Canadian…but I choose to trust 🤣
I went into the cafe to pay and coming out John and Carmel were gone however Carmel had left this little gelly candy for me. It was so good…saw her in Super Mercado a short while ago and thanked her for this nice gesture.
X & Y - Spain…I tried hard to understand their names but could not 🥲
Tomorrow on to Lugo a long 32 kms day. Some pictures from the day…walking in the Galicia is quite the treat…nice paths…lush green vegetation!
Re: Wikiloc ... you must really have forgotten about the experience as I was surprised that you did not heap scorn on the darn Systems Architects for that very impressive design element.
ReplyDeleteIf not for the users, the system would work perfectly!
Greg as I grow older and wiser I am more and more impressed with System Architects and their incredible contribution to mankind…now if you believe that 😂🤣
ReplyDelete