i am writing this from foncebadon, a tiny, charming village very close to the highest point of the camino.  i am taking a break to eat and to give lydia a chance to catch up to me so she can join me on this stretch.  we only have about 2 clicks to the high point.  it has been an amazing day of awe-inspiring vistas, beautiful earthen track to walk on, and a beautiful mix of wildflowers.  the most prevalent on this walk today have been a purple heather-like plant that grows next to a snow white flowering bush and beautiful yellow flowers and flowering bushes.  just lovely.  the wind is very strong, and the air is the sweetest i ever remember breathing.  i have walked through several medieval towns that are full of houses in ruins.  but because they were made of stone, even the ruins look somehow picturesque.  the walls are standing, and sometimes there is even a door, often off its hinges at least a little bit, but there are no roofs.  the interiors are grass, and even trees.  some of the trees are even growing out of the openings that were once windows.  very beautiful.  so instead of looking like some sort of urban blight, they serve as a gentle reminder of how nature is really the one in charge.  as my friend doug levine used to always say ít´s a long race´.  seeing these ruined houses makes me think of that, and that nature will always win out in the end.  there is something very peaceful about seeing what used to be a house now a loosely defined field of grass and weeds. 

that´s all for now.  i will be going to a small restaurant to get a bite to eat before climbing the last 2 km with lydia and the crew.  my knees are doing great, thanks to all your prayers, i am sure!  i think tomorrow i will be in a small city, ponferrada, where i might be able to download (upload?) some more photos.  it has been a great day. 

peace and blessings-
a