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- Sep 9, 2021, 8:14pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 1,012 m
- SpainCastille and LeónPola de Gordón, LaLa Pola de Gordón42°51’16” N 5°40’9” W
First walking day!
September 9, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Last night I was like a 10-year-old trying to get to sleep on Christmas Eve. It just wouldn’t happen. I’m sure I got a few hours sleep though. After a cup of instant coffee (caffeine is the desired ingredient more than taste), at about seven I put my headlamp on and headed out. Sunrise is about 8 am now!
It was a great walking day, cloudy at the beginning and then cooler and breezy towards the end. Leaving big cities is usually not so much fun, but there is a dirt path along the river that took me from the parador all the way to the first town about 10 km out. I have seen one other pilgrim, but he was going to stop in the town before I did. Lots of other people out on the trail though, all wearing masks and all saying Buen Camino to me.
In the woods I found another great use for my mask. I put it on to keep the gnats out of my nose and mouth. Then when I got too hot, I would take it off and leave it off until a gnat either flew into my nose or my mouth. Then I would put the mask on and start the drill all over again.
I didn’t remember this stage as being so difficult. I knew it was about 38 km, with maybe 400 m of elevation gain. But I was dragging at the end, and then I realized that the last time I did this stage I was five years younger and I had been walking for three weeks.
I am walking through mining country and now that the coal industry isn’t totally shut down in Spain, the towns that are left behind are really suffering. So sad.
After a shower and clothes wash, I met up with Ender, the Salvador angel who started it all. The first time I walked there was very little marking, and he took care of that along with a guidebook. We had a good Camino Chet.
Tomorrow is the most beautiful mountain stage, I can’t wait and the weather looks good.Read more
Traveler This brings back happy Salvador memories for me! I love that photo of you and Ender - I'm sure he was very happy to see you again. Are you in la Pola de Gordón? Good luck tomorrow x
Alan Sykes the Quince de Mayo in La Pola de Gordón? It may not be the poshest hostal in Spain, but when Ender delivered me there soaking wet one cold November day it was one of the most welcome. You won't be taking the glorious mountain Olvidado route to La Magdalena mañana, but I expect your northern road must be good too.
Traveler And a dentist's office upstairs, just in case. So wonderful to see your pics - especially the one of you and Ender. Buen camino today - may it be a glorious day!