I leave one week from today and am I excited!perhaps I will miss the quantity of pilgrims I was fortunate enough to have met along the
Camino Frances when I walked it in October, November 2005, but I am sure the few I do meet along this Camino, two years and one month later, will more than make up for it! I still remain slightly concerned about the Gallegan cold in December though as I am more accustomed to the heat and three-season walking, but I suppose I'll just deal with it when (and if) it occurs. I have added one pair of Capilene long underwear, both top and bottom, to my standard gear, as well as a heavier fleece hooded pullover to make up for it.
I am already packed and it will weigh exactly 18.23 pounds (8.3 kg) with the addition-when I begin walking- of the weight of 2liters water and 1.25 pound of food/snacks. My mouth is already watering in anticipation of those delicious sandwiches I'll make for my lunches from the daily fresh baked Spanish bread, the delightful cheeses of the different areas I'll walk through, the finest chorizos known to man and the most delectable of all hams- the thinly sliced Spanish pata negra 'jamon serrano' , from the south of Spain. I can hardly wait!
But I am still concerned about the potential of cold weather in the mountains to the north of Zamora as both December-and winter- and I approach. I have learned to enjoy hiking "lightweight' so I seldom carry more than I absolutely need but I must become cautious as winter approaches