Wynette. Hmm. It’s hard to say. They are different. Last time we started April 1st. As we walked then, weather gradually got warmer and we saw more and more pilgrims. Now weather is gradually getting colder and we’re seeing fewer and fewer pilgrims. In spring everything was lush green which was beautiful. Now we see a lot more variation which is pretty, too.
Last time, I thought all the crops were the same (monoculture) because, once we got out of La Rioja, wine country, all the fields were filled with a green grass plant. We assumed it was wheat or barley. But we now see more variety. Corn, sunflowers, sugar beets, hay (alfalfa?). I was hoping we’d see amber waves of grain this fall trip but haven’t seen that at all. We must have arrived after the wheat harvest.
So far the amount of rain is about the same. October weather has been similar to April. A little less wind on the Meseta.
We have seen some fall color, mostly yellow and gold, in the leaves. In the spring we saw the baby leaves appear. Both lovely.
I was concerned that by this time of year the people who run the albergues, hostals, bars, restaurants, etc, would be sick of us peregrinos and thus not be as kind and helpful. However, that has not been the case at all. Well, they are probably weary, but continue to be so nice to us.