The benefits of a good massage

Day 26 is now over and I´m two thirds of the way to Santiago (measured from St Jean Pied de Port). Lots of towns claim the half way point but it really depends on where you start. Tonight, I´m in a lovely little town called Rabanal del Camino which has mostly stone houses and walls everywhere. The two churches are built of stone as well. As far as I can tell, there are about 80 inhabitants and 5 dogs - two German Shepherds, one French Mastiff, a ginger/red dog of indiscriminate parentage and a small dog of a terrier sort. However, there are 4 albergues, a guest house and the Posada (pub with beds basically) so room for around around 120 pilgrims as well. There are 4 restaurants / bars and two small grocery type shops. Not bad for a town that probably only still exists because of the Camino de Santiago. The other claim to fame here is that there is an order of monks that come to one of the churches and sing Gregorian Chant for vespers. Hopefully I will get to hear them tonight as I actually like this form of music and have a friend in Australia who leads a similar group of singers (but he´s not a monk!). Today was basically a standard day´s walk - around 22 kms. There were a couple of small climbs to negotiate but nothing too strenuous. However, my foot pain recurred again today and just before I got to Rabanal, I had to stop for a while to rest my foot and try to get the pain under control. When I arrived in town I saw a sign advertising massages. My albergue hostelero was happy to arrange this so at 4 pm, I presented myself at the appointed place and had a full massage. I knew I had a few tight and sore muscles but wasn´t expecting some of the ones the therapist found! I´m happy to say that currently I feel very relaxed, comfortable and have no pain of any sort. Hope the benefits last for tomorrow as well. Anyway, it is good to be pain-free, even if for only a few hours. I think the time to just chill and relax (whilst somebody performs torture) was worthwhile and if I get another opportunity to indulge, I may just do that! Tomorrow, I´m off to Molinaseca which is about 26-27 kms so a bigger day with lots of steep sections to test those newly relaxed muscles!