Woke up today with a little jump in my step. I slept well for a change. I was on my own to start today with a long day ahead. The guys slept late but I hoped to see them later. I had an espresso this morning and skipped breakfast as usual. I was out the door by 0815.
It's a cloudy day once again and the air is cool. It looks like rain but I feel like the rain has been chasing us for days. It is imminent.
The walk started with a lone country road leaving town, my advantage being that the hill was already out of the way, a crossing of the main highway and up into the hills I go.
It was all farm and a little road walking but I had my music and my thoughts to keep me moving. I came to a tiny village and a beautiful brown horse welcomed me.
I went to pet him and feed him some grass and I tried to scare off the 500 flies but they didn't budge. I tried to take a photo but he was camera shy...
as I walked away he made a bit of a fuss and I realized his foot was tangled a little in the barbed wire fence. You know there is no way I'm leaving until his foot was free. So I struggled to get him to move but he was stubborn like me. If he would just go the opposite way he could free himself but he wasn't cooperating. I messed around with the fence and tried everything to free him. No one was around to help but I was determined to free him. He eventually corrected himself and I was able to walk away from him.
Jorge suggested (after I shared my story) that maybe it's because I didn't talk to him in Spanish. He's probably right!
As soon as I left my horse friend, I turned the corner and heard Harold's voice. The guys and Ines were sitting at a table enjoying coffee and waiting for me. Apparently I took the longer 'official' Camino.... they took some kind of short cut and saved themselves 8 kms. Ines took the same route as I did but had left 15 mins earlier.
We walked together but after a very short time, the trail split and Ines went up into the mountains and we headed for the sea. The sea did not come easy... we had to walk through the Spanish countryside, a few small towns and along some train tracks. Under bridges, up and over hills and through the woods. This was, I think, our longest day, mine anyway. I did 30kms and my body feels it. My feet are finally blistered and every little bone feels broken. We did see some incredible views, mostly by days end.
We saw a gorgeous beach from high above and had to climb one last painful mountain to see Llanes from above.
The views were amazing. Despite the end of day heat wave, the blue skies and bright sun reminded us how fortunate we have been with the weather. The descent was a toe buster but we made it.
The guys hotel was first so we had breakfast for dinner on their patio. We hydrated with wine, coke, coffee and water. Just before parting ways, the rain came down. I walked in the rain to my hotel, maybe 600 feet away but had to climb to the 4th floor.
I have a great view and a very comfy bed. I know this because I just collapsed on it and may require assistance getting back up.
If I can move again in this lifetime I believe it will be in the direction of the bar 🍷😁
Buenos Noches xx
“In the direction of the bar” that’s my kind of hike!! 🤣
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