Still in Burgos, we killed time and we rested. We had an 8:45am appointment with a local osteopath so Ee could only sleep in an extra hour or so but it was blissful. I was up from 4:00 to 5:00am worried about what the doctor would say and what alternatives and options we had. That turned out to be the last bad news of the day.

My painful swelling was not a shin splint at all. Dr. Google was wrong (as he often is). It was a circulation issue that my high boot, old age and my recent increase in strenuous exercise confined to cause a problem. Compression socks, elevated leg rest, ibuprofen, short ice packs when possible (in Spain?!?!), specific massages and not using the top boot lace hole, ought to fix the problem. I’ll also continue to forward my bag each day, at least for a while and we might reduce some distances.

Melanie also saw the osteopath and had surprising news herself on two issues. First, pardon me for using technical medical terms but this is what we got from the doctor. Her first problem is what medical professionals call a bum knee. The doctor suggested she see a physio or osteopath in Singapore when we return to strengthen the knee. The second problem was that Melanie had a sprained ankle and has been walking on it for several days. The doctor said in real life, Melanie should rest her ankle for two weeks but on the Camino, try to give it a day or two of easy walking was the remedy. She also used KT tape to secure the foot in a more stable but still flexible position.

We asked the final question to the doctor, if she were us, would she walk tomorrow. “Of course” was her answer after a shrug of the shoulders. She then wished us a buen Camino”

The rest of the rest day was spent walking all over two to withdrawal cash from the ATM, do laundry, buy a small backpack for me and a bum bag for Melanie to fit our new reality, buy KT tape and other stuff from the pharmacy, and visit the cathedral. Luckily for you, I only took photos at the Cathedral. Finally, we met with some friends from early in our walk. They arrived today in Burgos and will also take a rest day but Melanie had given Mia her WhatsApp number so dinner was arranged. Also with her was German Felix from Orisson, Debby and Mexican Pedro who I walked next to many times but never really spoke with. I should have practiced my Spanish but I didn’t. That’s a lesson learned, he’s a really nice guy.

That’s it for tonight. Only 20km tomorrow but we are heading back on the road again, bum knee and all.

Peace y’all. Goodnight George and Leo. Don’t let the bedbugs bite and don’t ever put your backpack on the bed either.