Mud, clouds, and mountains

Potes to Espinama
26,6 km, 1200 m

Things were gray and chilly when I left Potes this morning. At the last minute, I changed my route, because on careful inspection, I saw that the tracks I had planned to follow stayed on the road an awful lot. So I found a better but longer one with almost all off-road walking. It meant returning to the monastery, which I had not planned to do, but it did give me another couple hundred meters of ascent!

The route was really lovely, most of the time either next to a roaring river or in a lovely forest, or both.

I even ran into two different sets of people walking in the opposite direction, so that made for some good chitchat. One was a Dutch couple walking around for a week in no particular direction (though they have walked many Caminos). Somehow the discussion turned to world events and US politics, and then, as we said goodbye, the man said to me— remember, you can walk in peace. So true.

The second encounter was a big group of about 20 from the US walking with a Spanish guide and doing bits and pieces of different Caminos. No discussion of politics! Just Camino chitchat.

I walked through a few little villages I remembered from the last time I walked this route, and the tourist focus has increased a lot. What was once a little cheese maker village was now a place with six or eight lovely restored old homes to rent. I have to say it would be a great part of Spain for a hiking base!

And then, finally at about 1:30, when I was nearing my destination of Espinama, I saw blue sky and sunshine through the trees. And yes, there in front of my eyes, were some of the mountains!

I decided to continue onto the next little village, which I remembered as being beautifully positioned in front of some peaks. Since it was sunny, and I had nothing to do at my destination except wash clothes and shower, a few more kilometers seemed like a good idea. Defying the weather forecast, the sky was blue with white clouds and many of the peaks, though not all, were visible. It had not rained at all!

I certainly did not expect to see any mountain peaks today, and it was a special surprise for me. Just one day at a time.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/potes-mon…Læs mere