Breakfast was served by v severe nuns but coffee was lovely. Lynda, Stephen and Pat merrily jumped in to the first taxi they saw, claiming that since they had already walked to Cizar Menor the night before, they should not have to do it again. Sally and John plodded along, although Sally v skippy in new shiny boots. Did not last long. All met up in Cizar Menor and had small disagreement about where a panaderia was. Much stomping and yelling and threats of divorce involved.
Plodded on to Alto de Perdon, where the wind meets the stars. Was very hot and no shade for 8 km so Buckley pilgrims v weary. Met a very nice Spanish man who gave extensive medical advice on Sally´s knee and then predicted rain. We think he was a apparition of St James because he came from nowhere at the top of the hill and left just as mysteriously.
Then long hot descent down pebbly hill to Uterga where we had lunch and fed the pilgrim cats. More hot trudging and Sally suffering mucho by this point - going at approx. 0.5 km per hour. Snails were overtaking her, although that is because it had just rained and the ground was prime snail-sliding terrain.
Just about made it to Puente de la Reina, which is the town we are in now. Sally deliriously happy because they had an onsite masseuse. (It´s a miracle - she can walk!) This refugio is nicest we´ve stayed in yet - lovely showers, good food (relatively - if you like your lamb chops in batter) and a widescreen TV for the football. Have not seen John and Stephen for several hours.
All is well but nobody wants to walk tomorrow. The minds are willing but the feet are weak.
Besos.
4 comments:
Hope your feet are feeling better today!
I was reading on the internet about sore feet and especially your heel swelling John, some of the suggestions for relief are: bathe in salt water then wrap in wet towel; rub vicks vaporub in!( this woman claimed it really worked but don't know if you can get it); stretching exercises - these should be done each evening! ( see below); and arch support insoles ( again if you can get them). Apologies if you know this already!
Keep going you have come so far already and are doing so well!
Love, Sian. Xx
1. Ankle Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion
Place a rolled-up towel under your left calf. Move your foot up toward your body. Keep your knee straight. Hold this position for six seconds. Then move foot slowly downward and hold for six seconds. Return to starting position and do six repetitions. Repeat the entire exercise with the other leg.
2. Foot Inversion and Eversion, Active
Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of a chair. Slowly turn your left foot inward. Hold this position for six seconds. Then turn foot very slowly outward and hold for another six seconds. Repeat this exercise six times. Repeat entire exercise with right foot. (To make exercise a strengthening exercise, add weights.)
3. Ankle Dorsiflexion, Plantarflexion, Inversion and Eversion- Ankle Circles
Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of the chair. Slowly move your left foot in a circle moving clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Then slowly move the same foot in a circle counter-clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Repeat the entire exercise with the right foot.
4. Ankle Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion - Active
Stand in front of a table. Place your hands on the table and raise yourself up on your toes. Remain on toes for six seconds. Then slowly return to standing position and rock back on heels. Hold position for six seconds. Repeat this six times.
5. Ankle Plantarflexion - Stretching
Stand with forearms on wall, left toes close to wall, right foot behind. Toes on the right foot face inward (toward the middle of your body). Roll weight gently to outside border of the right foot. Lean body forward with back leg straight. Keep heel on floor. Stretch is felt in the calf. Hold for six seconds. Repeat with opposite leg and hold again for six seconds. Repeat entire stretching exercise six times.
mom looks like she's enjoying it a little too much. i want to see PAIN. those are the money shots!
Hello Buckleys. Super, marvellous, smashing, well done (and that's just me 'cos I figured out how to blog.) Congratulations on 'so far'. Didn't someone once say golf was a long walk spoiled; lucky you forgot your clubs John, looks like your having mucho fun. How's Sally's golf ball? Remember I know a good foot doc. Keep up the photos and the blog - we're all rooting for you. Kevin and Louise xxxxxx
Sally, Sally, Sally - hate to say it, but we all told you so! I have never met anyone so underprepared for such an event. I hope your foot improves with the new boots - I suppose walking in them for 4 weeks is one way of breaking them in!
Helicopters all fully booked this week, will try for next week.
xxx
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