The day starts as always with morning prayer where there are many references that I directly connect with our group....in particular the phrase 'extend hospitality to strangers' strikes a chord.  Up until the previous day we were a group of individuals united in our common goal ....but something happened the day before to change the dynamic after we stopped to remember an Irish pilgrim, we prayed together there on the Camino Way and then walked together but in profound silence thereafter.....the group changed from that point.  

 

Today we walked @15km, there was no race against the sun and despite sore feet, legs and bodies we made a conscious effort to walk together.  Many members of the group commented on the sounds and smells of the Camino and this continued today...on one corner we hear the music and smell the aroma of coffee from the cafe we pass and then a couple of yards away we encounter a dog with her two young pups and then further on we see a family with their three young children walking.  We continue the way until Lavacollo and then follow in the pilgrim tradition of cleansing our feet in the river.  

 

As a group we are relaxed, sharing prayer, sharing silence and above all sharing the unique pilgrim experience.  Our day concludes after we reach our destination at Monte do Gozo with mass.  We are tired but happy that we have shared and supported each other this far....only 6km to go tomorrow and we finally reach our destination. 

 

Know ow that you are all being held before the Lord in prayer.