Getting quicker!

In spite of snow flurries and water underfoot we walked the roads again today. We have a number of steep hills near here and were pleased that we have speeded up. We walked 8.1 km in 1hr 45mins, including tackling the steep hills and stopping for about 10mins to remove a fleece each once we had warmed up. We must be achieving 5km an hour on the flat. The rather gritty snow bounced off us and we made it home before the next really heavy sleet shower.

Mud and water

After a wet week and some road walking we ventured out this morning along the river side where there were daffodils and primroses in the woods. The paths through the woods were muddy and slippery and mud, wet stones and running water on the track back up to the road made for real Camino style walking. Picking out the best way forward led to a slow start and an uphill plod. However our timing picked up once we were over the worst of the mud and running water.




A drink and energy biscuit at the top of the track spurred us on and we completed a 9.2km circuit in 2½ hours. Not bad as we took nearly an hour to cover the first 2½km.



Finally in the lanes on the sheltered banks we found not only primroses but wild violets flowering. Spring is coming at last.

Food!

Preparation is not just about walking but also about anticipating the gastronomic pleasures of the Way. Anyone who followed Terry's blog last year,
http://walktocompostela.blogspot.com, will know that, as well as recording the days walking, he also posted about the food he was eating.
Paella and Sopa Gallego, the latter made by Terry, are regulars on our menu. Having found several recipes, including one in our old Argentine cookery book (where it is caled Tarta de Compostela), Valerie has made a Tarta Santiago. The flaky pastry type of base came from the Argentine recipe and the filling from a Spanish website. Very good - must make another. Then back to walking or we will be putting on weight!!

Mothering Sunday

A walk across the fields and along the lanes. We finally found some primroses out in a sheltered place. Spring is coming. Further along and back on the road we passed a farm gate and the chickens running free along the bank side. 'The girls' as the farmer called them. The others were camera shy and ran home, and even these two turned their backs.

Longer walks

At last we have broken the 7km barrier and walked nearly 9km with full packs, including water. Some of the hills across the fields were quite steep and in one we came across a sheep with its head stuck in the wire fence. Terry's good deed for the day was to free it which was not easy even though it stopped struggling and let him work. It is still too cold to sit out and eat a picnic so it is morning or afternoon walking for a little longer.

Footpath walking

We have finally been able to walk 'off road' today. There are patches of mud, but the ground is no longer water-logged. Hopefully the footpaths will continue to dry out so that we can walk almost completely round our village without going on the road. It is still very cold in the wind so warm hats and jackets are a necessity.
There are snowdrops on the river bank. The primroses are just waiting for a few warmer days before they flower on the more sheltered roadside banks. Further along the path and back onto the road there are crocuses growing under the trees.