Yep, Frances, the challenge last Camino was definitely the elements! First day out was quite pleasant. The second day we got 8 inches of snow within abt 4hrs and had to hunker down..did not make it to our intended goal. We began thinking, each day, it will be better tomorrow. Then we began a marathon of cold,windy,rainy days in the 30s Fahrenheit until we got another nice day leaving Longrono! We cherished that day! One day we walked for 6hours with a 75km headwind, with snow, hail and heavy rain between Astorga and Rabanal del Camino. Our poles were actually blowing up into the air as we took each step. It snowed as we climbed to Acebo
No one was on the trail...everyone stayed on the road. Thankfully, we got a wonderful day coming down from Acebo to Ponferrada. This is a steep downhill section...again we took the road. From Ponferrada to Santiago it rained everyday!
My waterproof rain jacket was no longer rainproof..we were soaked each and every day. We stopped more often to try and dry out and prevent hypothermia.
Nevertheless...it was a great Camino. We loved the people we met. Quality conversation with pilgrims from four continents. Kind, helpful proprietors for the most part and a couple of Camino angels to boot!