We are sad to leave Euskadi — Basque country — but the gorgeous views of the coast and Bay of Biscay distract from any melancholy. The weather has been glorious, with highs around 69 to 70.

Last night (Monday) we strolled around Castro Urdiales, a lovely resort town and had the most fresh fish, beautifully and simply prepared, of our lives. Literally it was right off the boat, and cooked by people who love their fish.

The middle photo shows us with a statue commemorating Roman emperor Vespasian, who is credited with founding the town. The statue is in front of the church which has a commanding location next to the lighthouse, and the most flying buttresses, flying in multiple directions, that we’ve ever seen.

It’s hard to believe we have only three more days of Camino walking (ending on Friday evening). By the way, Ed’s blister is all better, thanks to Compeed and Urgo (brand names) silicone plasters. (But today he got a splinter…)

People who walk the Camino frequently say or hear local people say to us “Buen Camino.” It means have a good walk. Some people say “Ultreia” which in Camino-speak means ‘go farther, go deeper, keep going.”

We walked for the last few days in the sun. It gave us time to meditate as we walked about all kinds of things. Some of the time we did stretch into Ultreia. Some of these thoughts were about our family and friends, especially those who have, in the last few years, passed on to their next chapter. Some of the thoughts were a reflection on how lucky we have been in our lives and in the lives of those we love. How grateful we are for the gifts we and they have been given. And, just when we are deep in a meditative state, one gets a pain in a joint or muscle that brings us back to earth. One experiences the pain and thinks, ‘I hope it is just a tweek or a momentary and passing thing. I hope it isn’t serious. I hope I can make it to the next place that has people around who can help if I need it.’ How quickly we can focus on the next step.

It is important to be grateful and to understand that much has been given to us, not because we have earned it or deserve it, but because we are lucky to have been born into good families in a good and wealthy country. Maybe we were able to take advantage of one or two of the many opportunities we have been given.

Walking a Camino helps us to be grateful because it is good to remember the past but it is also good to stay in the present and focus on today.