20.6.24

Free day in Leon today so we headed for the cathedral. Happy to get a discount for being 65+ but the ticket lady could at least of asked. Very interesting story of the development of gothic architecture in the 13th century and how it spread from France all over Europe because it increased the wall strength without needing the thickness of stone used before. It also allowed the creation of much larger and moreover beautiful stained glass windows

While I was there, I lit candles for Siobhan as I have all along the way. I began feeling emptiness and fear that I hadn't felt before. I think it's because the end of the Camino is in sight, well still more than 300k away and we have decided to go on to Finisterre. I feel a dread that I'm beginning to get the message that the Camino is trying to tell me. Maybe I was hoping for a magical solution but that's not it. I now think it's saying "I can't answer all your questions but if you carry on, you will emerge from the dark tunnel and it's going to be all right" I feel like a stream of rain running down a window, it continues until it meets an obstruction but it always finds a way to continue. I (and Olivia) will continue, it won't be the same because Siobhan isn't coming back but it will be ok. Before she died, Siobhan told us both that she will always be looking over us and I do believe that. But, like  Brian says in the Life of Brian "you've just got to work it out for yourselves". That's the frightening thought.