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In anticipation of Thanksgiving, a fowl tale & history lesson.
Here we are in another well preserved 11th century town dominated by another impressive cathedral, but this isn't just any old cathedral - this one has a "cathedral coop" with a c*** & hen, and thus an interesting story of The Miracle of the Cock. This is perhaps not so much a history lesson as an endearing legend along the Camino.
*Legend has it that a pilgrim couple and their son stopped at an inn here on their way to Santiago. The pretty innkeepers daughter had her eye on the handsome lad, but the devout young fellow thwarted her advances. Incensed by his refusal she hid a silver goblet in his backpack & reported him for stealing. The innocent lad was caught and condemned to hang. Some accounts suggest the parents continued on their way, oblivious of the fate of their son & upon their return from Santiago they found him hanging on the gallows but miraculously still alive thanks to the intervention of Santo Domingo - a man born in 1019 who dedicated his life to improving the physical route for pilgrims, building a hospital & a church which evolved into the cathedral and which houses his tomb. So.......back to the young man hanging on the gallows. The parents rushed to the sheriff's house and found him just about to tuck into dinner. Upon hearing the news, he retorted that their son was no more alive than the c*** he was about to eat, whereupon the fowl stood up on the dish and crowed loudly. The miracle was not lost on the sheriff who rushed back to the gallows and cut the lad down, and gave him a full pardon. We are left to speculate on the fate of the foxy maiden!
Class dismissed!
*Reference: A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino de Santiago by John Brierley.
Adios hasta mañana.
We are leaving La Rioja region in the morning and already we can see fewer vineyards and more fields of hay, wheat, etc. Nice walking day although Lynn struggled as she didn't sleep well.
We met Matthew this morning who we first met at lunch in Pamplona as he was still on his way to St Jean Pied-de-Port to start his walk. Thought he would have passed us earlier as he has only another 20 days or so to finish his walk. Needs over 30 km per day. Oh to be young! He is staying in albergues and has not much nice to say about them. Snoring, bedbugs, top bunks and in one case triple bunks, people getting up at 4 am. We are now planning our days to stay in hotels and generally in smaller places where we can.
No news on the toenail. Doesn't hurt so I am not taking off the bandages.
- comments
Susan Welsh I don't have Rich's cell phone but if anyone does tell him if he can to soak foot in epsom salts or if not available a salt/water solution.Salt is a disinfectant and healer.Hope it heals soon. Susan
Alana Husby This is waaay better than history class!!! I'll have you know ive started on the treadmill again and everytime I feel like giving up I think of you two on a dusty trail with a heavy pack eating nuts and seeds wearing lesbian sandals ;) and I keep going!! Love you!! I love you guys! Alanaxox