Today we decided to take a full day of rest and try to go to the beach. It rained.

I finally swallowed my pride and bought a knee pad, since I could feel the pain rising as soon as I did some movement that was different from just walking, especially when descending steps or going downhill.

We arrived by train to the port town of Luarca, meeting some pleasant pilgrims on the way. Ironically, we talked more today with other pilgrims while waiting for the train, than all the other days that we’ve been walking.

I know it was the right choice to get some rest today. Hopefully we’re recovering and building up to complete the final stages in Asturias and enter Galicia. Then why does it feel like a loss?

Maybe because I’m constantly comparing myself to 2013, getting frustrated at my body not being as good or as responsive as it was 11 years ago.

Though we have already walked more than 300 km by our calculations, every km we lose still hurts, like if we’re being robbed.

It’s a silly thought, though. The experience is still fantastic and I’m absolutely glad we’re here.

Comparison truly is the best enemy of happiness.

Tomorrow we will walk. I’ll put my knee pad on and see if it helps, combined with today’s rest.

I don’t even want to think of what we will do if that doesn’t work. It just must work.