Saw lots of these guys the first mile or so but none after. (Probably got too hot!)

Breakfast stop with some of the Borda crew.

We haven't asked yet the story of the Barbie and the lambs, but we've chatted with them a lot today.

The Way to the right (see marker) and a perfectly good road 10 feet to the left. I took the road.

Beautiful 800 year old church in Lorca. The (very loud) bells went off while we were right outside.

Most of today. But we still had hills. We always have hills.

I love all the different street markers.

Missy contemplating sitting down since it wasn't very deep. She was already wet with sweat anyway.

I like to rest in the tunnels where it's cool and there's a wall to sit on. This caught my eye.

Our hostel - the first when you come into town, so we'll have a longer walk tomorrow.

Our view. The river is very loud, which will be great for sleeping.

The calves are much looser today, but now the ankles hurt. This is supposed to help post hike.

Tinto de Verano -- 50/50 mix of red wine and carbonated lemon soda.

Patatas bravas and spinach and goat cheese croquettes. Pretty much what I had last night.

It's not what I was expecting for cheesecake, but I certainly ate it all anyway.

Chris from Germany and Nikki, who is British but lives in Florida.

Sunburn and Blisters

May 22 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

I woke up this morning feeling a prickle behind my left knee. My immediate thought was that I’d been bitten by bedbugs, a common concern with all the shared lodging on the Camino. I don’t think it really happens that often, but I sure don’t want to be the lucky one. Was pretty happy to realize it was “just” sunburn. Today I put lots of sunscreen on ALL the places, and tomorrow it’s back to my hiking pants for a bit. The fields just don’t offer a lot of protection. You often see several pilgrims huddled like cows in the shade cast by the lone tree to be found.

We did leave earlier today but got in about the same time on a shorter day. That could have something to do with having found another stream to soak our feet in. We also spent more time at our breakfast stop handling foot issues. I have my first blisters — plural — but so far nothing major. Subject to change.

We are in a private room with a bathroom tonight. I made a point to confirm my reservation after one of our Borda crew showed up yesterday, sweaty and exhausted, and despite showing the hostel her confirmation email was told they did not have a room for her. They did call around and find a bed for her in one of the public albergues. I haven’t seen her yet to hear first-hand how it was, but it cost only eight euros (with commensurate services), and word on the street is she didn’t get much sleep.

Like yesterday, we checked in, collapsed, rallied, took showers, and went looking for food. Missy asked for sangria. I understood enough to know the waiter said they didn’t have sangria, but I had no clue what substitute he was suggesting. Nonetheless, I committed us each to a glass, and it was very refreshing.

We stopped in the pharmacy looking for aloe Vera, but the tube they had available was much heavier than I want to carry. We are talking about shipping some things ahead to Burgos, Missy’s last town, to lighten our packs a little. Definitely rain gear for both of us, because even if it does rain, at 90 degrees we are NOT wearing raincoats. If I don’t think I’ll need the things at that point Missy can take them back home, and if I have missed something, it’s only a week I’ve done without, and I can add it back in then. However, Monday in Lograno would be the first opportunity, so we’ll see.

We hung out in the room, then went back out to see the square and have dinner. Which for me was cheesecake. The route from our hostel to town is blocked by construction, which we navigated fine on the way in but were very frustrated by on the way back. Hopefully in the morning the Camino detour will be well-marked.

Tomorrow is another “short” day of 13.5 miles, but it has a bit more elevation changes and is still going to be blazing, so we plan another early start.Read more