The Camino Catalan

Just lying in bed slacking off and trying to decide what to have for breakfast. I'm thinking chocolate and churros. Tour is going well, though I'm looking forward to clearing the Pyrenees and making up some time on the flats. Weather forcast is for rain on wednesday, so will play that by ear. Being holed up in a medieval monestary or cloister waiting for the rain to stop is actually a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, taking pictures of all the various monsters depicted on columns and such, making sketches and water colours... I shall certainly be an expert on 12th century defensive architecture when this is done. Free WIFI is everywhere and unexpected in a perfectly preserved Medieval town, in general Catalunya is very tech savvy (though very tastefully concealed) and the infrastruture and signage on the route is excellent, if not well used. Have not seen any other pilgrims to date, but it is early and this part of the Camino is a bit obscure. As well, getting my pilgrims credential stamped mid day is difficult as everything is closed, including the clergy that take some time mid- day from their no doubt onerous duties to have some lunch with their wine... straight from Chaucer or Bocaccio, nothing has changed in a 1000 years, but that is a benefit to me who is in search of authenticity ( he says while dictating into his speech recognition software on his iPhone) In any case, the local pubs are always keen to merrily stamp my credential, and this is important because I need to prove I have travelled this far to get the cosmic browny points and qualify for the Compostella certificate in Santiago. This being a Xacobean year I think they are also throwing in a set of steak knives as well. But wait! There's more! If you order now...




I'm feeling every ounce when I pedal up those hills, so the fact that i'm travelling with 10.5 pounds of gear is quite a blessing. Leaving the net book and taking along the iPhone (with sim removed) was the right choice. In fact, i may actually mail some items back to further lighten the bicycle. The good news is that traffic is a none issue. In 5 hours of riding yesterday I encountered only 2 cars. Ye twod be supposed upont ye consideraxion that suche facilitaciones are of mooch remedious extravigansh untoo thees tha'wold mack sooch a piligrinashione.