Grado to Salas

Had a pretty good nights sleep and was woken by the alarm at 6.25 (I’m often awake before it so it was nice to still be asleep for once).
Set off at about 7.20 anticipating a morning of steep up hill walking.
In fact although it was definitely steep in parts it really didn’t seem too bad and the views were worth any pain. Another day without rain which feels like a gift given the weather that they have been having recently and given our first day!
We started off in misty cloud which was very beautiful but the sun gradually came out which was beautiful in a different way. Somehow the path seemed to stay in the shade for most of the way so temperatures remained very pleasant.
After about 11k (wonderful compared to previous days) we arrived in Cornellana where there was a very busy bar serving food which meant breakfast was indeed breakfast rather than lunch.
Then on and up and down through more quiet and beautiful countryside to our destination of Salas.
I’m extremely fortunate in that I’m not finding this particularly painful or over challenging yet and I’m enjoying almost every minute. It does feel like a good challenge without being impossible.
Tomorrow does look a bit more tricky with over twice the amount of climbing. However there looks to be a town with food after 9k which is perfect.
I forgot to mention when writing about Oviedo that we found the most amazing pharmacy where instead of having to wait for someone to locate your medication on a shelf behind the counter this is done at lightning speed by a robot type machine that whizzes up and down and sends the medication out through a sort of hatch! I have never seen anything like it - it was so fast and efficient and brilliant to watch. I wish I had taken a video of it - could have watched it for hours!!
Back to today tho - hostel has a vegetarian communal evening meal which is fab and is a lovely place. We have a room with duvets and each bed has a hot water bottle (a lovely touch tho don’t think I’ll need it). Very cute in every way and the joy of sunshine and an outside line (with pegs!!) for the washing. Perfect.
The hostal is on a square with bars so have had a glass on wine with pilgrim David (76) who has literally done every possible camino. Ate some cherries and now sitting on a be ch enjoying the, until now rare, sunshine.
Well the meal was fabulous and great company too - David from wales, Alex from Richmond (about 3 miles from where I live) and Garth and his wife, Canadians from Vancouver. Great conversations and lots of useful info shared about the route.Read more