Media (4)
Rain, alignments, and final steps toward Santiago.
July 13, intermediate stretch toward Portomarín and the final days of the Camino Francés.
July 13 was one of those days when the Camino asks for continuous flexibility. Andrius and I stayed in contact through the morning, trying to fit a break together: first a bar too close, then another point farther ahead. Meanwhile the stage flowed between short stops, restarts, and that classic balance between pace and logistics.
Midday rain also arrived, then it stopped, and in the afternoon the rhythm became more regular again. In the meantime Andrius kept telling small road episodes: random encounters, new people, even a group of Mexicans who had asked him for a video greeting. They were simple details, but they showed well the energy of those days: tired, yes, but still fully alive inside the Camino.
Near the end we had to adapt again: the place where we thought we would stop was closed, so we stretched the stage a bit more. Nothing dramatic, but enough to remind you that on the Camino the perfect plan almost never exists.
In parallel, in the wider group it was Mark’s birthday: between wishes, messages, and reflections, you could clearly feel we were entering the phase of taking stock. Many were already talking about Santiago, staggered arrivals, possible meetups before the end. In practice, while walking, we were also saying goodbye in advance to part of that experience.
Wet asphalt and trail, damp backpack, and then lighter air again when the rain stops: the day changing tone several times.
In the final phase of the Camino, it is not only about “keeping the average”: it is about staying elastic, accepting setbacks, and continuing to give value to the people you meet along the way.
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Day notes