The human body is an amazing thing. When I woke in the the night my throat felt like it was lined with razor blades. But now, in the early afternoon it feels almost normal. I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch or get too presumptuous but it does seem like I’ll be able to continue tomorrow. For healing mercies I am grateful. (So Mum, you can breathe easy. No need for the Flying Doctor 🧡🧡🧡)
I allowed time for all the other pilgrims to leave the hostel this morning and then ventured out. The city was quiet at this point, after a big Friday night where the streets around me were buzzing. I wandered up to the cathedral for a closer look but in fact, it was hard to close. There were flowers lining one entrance way but in other ways it felt like an impregnable (is that a word?) fortress.
To be fair there is clearly some work being done to it, but to climb all the steps and get through the gates didn’t seem easy. This pilgrim was having trouble too, back and forth he went, and eventually gave up.
I too gave up and wondered instead down to the waterfront.
I discovered that this interesting building had free wifi and knew it was time for the Benedictus Saturday service to begin. I tried logging in. Bingo, it worked and I was able share in a wonderful service and hear Sarah’s first reflection in a new Poetica Divina series. Meanwhile, Santander life was going on around me.
After the service I wandered on down the boulevard, past this Camino marker…
and the new Santa Maria - a replica of the ship which took Columbus on his 1492 voyage to the Americas.
Not sure if this guy will get as far as CC but he seems keen to get into the water.
Saturday sailing in Santander reminded me of similar days in my youth.
And then the rain came, bucket loads of it, all afternoon.
It’s amazing how the complexion of a place changes when it’s raining.
There was nothing for it but to find a warm dry cafe and order some dinner (and please note that no vegetables were injured in the eating of this meal!!)
Tomorrow, I walk again, rain, hail or shine.
May it be a good day for all of us.
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Hello Neil,
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you feel well again- your description of your sore throat was very clear. The meal above probably gave you lots of protein and nourishment. It was a thrill to see you on the screen last night, I was surprised! You will be walking again now, and I hope you work out how to take is easy on this stretch. Go well.Yes the service last night with Sarah's word to us was very enriching.