• Bron PlaskowskiEl Camino de SantiagoTraveler
    Not the easiest surface to walk on, especially on a steep angle.
    Carol lost her glove yesterday, so had to make do with one of my socks as a mitten.Following the lights up front.The sun finally came up.The cow was having a good scratch on the tree.Foncebadon, should imagine this plot would be reasonably priced.Cruz de Ferro, with stones left by people around the base.Years of stones built up around the base.Would have been a lot easier just to have walked along the road.Deserted village, where someone has set up a hostel, resident population of the village now is 1.How much time does someone have to balance 3 stones at improbable angles.Acebo, the first village we came across on the decentThe high street in Acebo.Decisions, decisions.In need of a little work.She must do well selling things to the passing pilgrims to afford this vehicle.Was a relief to finally see Molinaseca.Finally in town.The high street in MolinasecaNot sure why, but it's a thing to come and bathe in the river, what there is of it.

    A Very Long Decent

    October 8, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Straight out of the hostel this morning we were into a 350m climb up to the Cruz de Ferro (the iron cross) which is almost the highest point on the Camino. We set off at 07:15, so by the time it got light we were already halfway there.

    Apparently people bring stones from home with them to lay at the Cruz de Ferro. Whether to remember someone or something or to leave something from their lives behind to allow them move on. I'd not heard of this until the day before we started, just as well as my bag was more than heavy enough already.

    Five miles later we reached the highest point of the Camino at 1,515m. The only issue now was that Molinaseca is at 610m, meaning a 905m decent. Descending is always tougher on feet, ankles, knees than climbing is, particularly on loose stones and small rocks or jagged slabs of rock. This decent had plenty of both. Which made for a slow and tiring last 7 miles. It was a great relief when Molinaseca finally came into view, even though there was still a couple of km of descending to go.

    All this made for a quiet afternoon and evening. A couple of beers, a meal and an early night, ready for the longest remaining walk tomorrow.

    Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca
    Distance: 15.85 miles
    Time: 6hrs 56 mins
    Speed: 2.3 mph    Read more