Camino Day 5

Left our hotel by 9:30 - 1.5 hour transfer to our starting point of Villares de Orbigo. A not so good start to the day as I lost my phone (found it packed in my suitcase) and then lost the CW guide book for the day's walk!! :-( Today's walk was 9.2 miles or 14K through lowlands around rivers, lowlands with primarily grains growing. Later in the day some really pretty forests (we think beech or birch), conifers, and oak. Bea did not walk again today, she is still pretty swollen in her face and hand. About 4 miles into walk, an "oasis" - gathering of tents, people, and lots of food. All free. Shabi said later that the fellow is a friend and does this due to the fact that he quit drugs on the Camino. People gave him food and this is his payback.

Went through 2 villages on the way, had our box lunch at San Justo de la Vega. Very busy bar but able to get a Coke Zero On to Astorga - a big City. We walked over a mile once we hit the outskirts of the City Pretty much 30 minutes ahead of time. Did the 9.2 in 4 hours. The meeting place for Bea and Shabi was at a plaza in Astorga where Gaudi built a "house" for a Bishop. There are only 4 Gaudi buildings outside of Catalonia and this was one of them. Had a beer waiting for Shabi, then decided we could visited the Gaudi house interior at 4 which we did. Interesting with beautiful stained glass, vaulted ceilings and lovely columns. Lots of pictures.

To our hotel for the night in a small village at the Hosteria Camino. Lovely old boutique hotel. We are on the 3rd floor and have a large and small bed and lots of room. Cleaned up, did our E-mail and met Bea and Ibby for dinner.

Miles: 10.4Read more