First walking day completed…..YAY!

We are at Villar de Mazarife, and walked 21 kms, which is our second longest walk, so we are happy, sitting in the garden of our Hostal with a beer, and have that lovely post walk high. It was comfortably cool when we left at about 8.30, and the first 2 hours, or more, were really boring - going through the outer industrial suburbs of León.

Then we had to find our turnoff to Mazarife and we were warned that the signs are painted over and misleading, but I do remember doing this in 2018 and it was clear which way to go, as we were not following the main road, but going across fields to here…at this point Cathy turned into the fearless leader when we found no signing to Mazarife, she turned on the online map that our Camino people sent and found our route, and once we had chosen the right route there were many Camino signs…

So then we walked through countryside, hay stacked up, a couple of tiny villages, quite monotonous, and a bit of uphill….but we made it, greeted at our accommodation by a friendly hostess, found our room and bags and all well. This place is also an albergue and there are large dormitories and the walls seem to have little soundproofing, but should be fun dinner at 7pm, nice and early.
Cathy will continue the story, and fill in gaps…I think I’m now so relaxed I can’t write more!
Cathy’s comments:
Mum has covered day 1 well. We were quite exposed walking the alternate trail as it was hot and little shade. Passed a lovely Christmas tree farm as well as pretty poplars. It was also quite an ascent. Shout out to Mum who doesn’t like the heat and who powered through, our lovely hostess was impressed with Mum’s age. Thanks Jess for the shoe tip, so far so good!
Yes the walls definitely need sound proofing, despite having a private room, it feels as if our neighbours are with us in a dormitory (picture loud talking Americans).
A lovely communal dinner with French, German, English and Aussies. Ironically the Aussies we had dinner with went to bed and the French and Germans joined us for a nightcap out in the garden.
Lights off and ready for tomorrow.Read more