Day 6: La Mesa to Grandas de Salime

Distance: 17.8km (11 miles)
Elevation gain: 2,300ft
Emotions: frustrated, sore but still cheery

Today was supposed to be an easy bimble over the hill, down to the reservoir and then back up the other side to Grandas De Salime. Unfortunately, it was slightly more challenging as all the pain I had believed I was immune too, finally hit me. My knee ached, my feet felt bruised and the ominous blisters began to appear. But that was not going to get me down.

What did get me down, however, was the insane decent that traversed down the side of the hill to the reservoir below. I have never been on such a brutal slope, aggravating my knee and in turn me. The views that might have distracted me were bathed in cloud so I was left between damp clouds, scree slopes and a dodgy knee. We made quite the party.

As I neared the base of the slope, I stopped and had a word with myself. I couldn’t get despondent when the path didn’t go where I wanted, I would just have to adjust my perspective and keep going. It helped enormously, or it might have been that I had just dropped below the cloud line.

Once at the very bottom, I then began the satisfying climb back up the other side. This was a lovely ascent, with a perfect gradient, beautiful views to distract and a lovely canopy of green overhead.

I walked the last few kms with Jenny and Christina, two German teachers who are refreshing to spend time with. They are off home today though so I said a brief goodbye before finding my accommodation, where I now relax.

Tonight I am in an actual hotel, overlooking the valley to the Albergue on the other side. It’s very very nice and I’ve just had a rainfall shower before I go and find some dinner this evening. My spirits have lifted and I look forward to the challenge of the next few days as I leave the mountains and head closer to Lugo.Read more