Day 28 - Camino Frances - Rabanal de Camino to El Acebo via Cruz de Ferro

Day 28 - Sunday 29th September - Rabanal del Camino to El Acebo via Cruz de Ferro - 18km
The encounter with the Cruz de Ferro is an important day for many pilgrims. It can be a time of healing for a peregrino and an opportunity to leave something behind using the symbolism of the cross together with a stone, a letter or another object.
I decided not to leave anything at the cross and I also made the decision not to stand in line and step up to the base of the cross. I enjoyed sitting and watching from a distance, I made peace with my decision and then walked away without looking back.
The weather was perfect today - not too hot - a clear blue sky and a beautiful day to be up in ‘the hills’.
I did struggle with the descent as the path was rough and stony and in places there were deep cuttings. I do not have binocular vision as only my right eye is functional. With poor depth perception and balance, picking my way down this type of path requires enormous focus and a lot of time. By the end of the day I was ‘shouting’ at that path. I am praying that the ongoing descent tomorrow is less arduous (from my perspective).
I am staying at a huge newish albergue that even has its own ‘health centre’ for pilgrims. After a very satisfying pilgrim’s dinner I head to bed physically tired but at peace.

[@ronashman8463]

Many say that that day is the hardest day of the CF. I absolutely agree. You are so strong and determined. Well done.

[@philthomas-yd4rq]

Well done today.....on your tough day. Great decision with your stones👍 😁

[@LaneeWondergem]

Down wasn’t soon enough and then it was! You are doing so well 😊

[@LaneeWondergem]

Giving the stones to your special humans after completing your pilgrimage - beautiful

[@Xtinedriffill]

Thank you my lovely

[@annetcell-ly4571]

Your grandchildren are not your burdens. I’ll be saving my stones for Finesterre and all the possibilities at the end of the world. You’re very lucky to have dry weather. The Aussie who passed this way 2 days before you did it in excruciating wind and rain. The cross is next to the road where tour buses pull up. Why not follow the road down or catch a taxi? Thanks for the honest description of the cross becoming a junk pile. I might skip it altogether! I’ve just read a disturbing comment on another blog that claimed some tourists on tourist buses take the mementos left at the cross as souvenirs!! Glad you made it and that you passed another Camino test.