Molinaseca to Camponaraya

10km shorter than yesterday, and relatively flat, was a welcome little recovery today. It was dull and boring and my pinky toe hurt, but life is ebbs and flows - all must balance!

I passed through Ponferrada, where I stopped for awhile to peep up at the Knights Templar castle, and duck into a Decathlon for a new pack cover, as there's rain due tomorrow.

Trying to adequately fuel myself and maintain a semi decent nutritional standing on a budget is a fun game I'm playing. Spanish cuisine can basically be described in one word, and it rhymes with 'barbs', but meeting protein intake is difficult, as is getting various minerals, enough calories, and (maybe specific to me) adequate hydration. Breakfast this morning was ordered from the supermarket drinks aisle: an iced coffee (caffeine, protein); a vanilla protein drink (35g protein, solid); and a can of Aquarius (amazing hydration/mineral drink). 3 euro total and I slammed then one after another while walking. I did send apologies down to my stomach but explained the sound logistical reasoning of the approach, and stomach reluctantly concurred that this was both efficient and wise.

I've also discovered these amazing waffle bricks you can buy for less than a euro that come with a sachet of chocolate sauce (similar to runny nutella) that are about 550cal a pop AND you can enjoy them either hot or cold! Big fan. I might buy stocks.

Lunch was half a fresh chewy crunchy baguette spread with cream cheese and filled with cherry tomatoes (no knife/cutting needed, good hack, write that down) and another protein drink. Dinner will be aforementioned waffle. All the food groups accounted for.

As mentioned earlier, my left pinky toe got grumpy today, but I'm sure it's only because I slammed it downhill for hours yesterday. A pinky toe blister is usually the only one I ever get and thankfully they're extremely easy to deal with and don't get any worse, lady caz gets a point for that one. Other than that, the calves and quads are a bit tight but nothing major. I was the first one to hit the albergue this arvo, with the privilege of picking my bed and christening the nice clean shower.

Hair washed, clean clothes, fed and watered, and I've discovered a COUCH room. It may look like nothing special, but couches become a luxury good when travelling, it's like stumbling upon a golden goose. I've brought down the blanket from my room, to cocoon, and shut the door so hopefully no other stinky pilgrims know it's here 😈

Edit: sharing a room with only 2 others tonight, further luxuries! Dee, from America, who I helped direct to a supermarket, and Pascal, an older Frenchman who struck up an incredibly sweet conversation with me in broken English. He was over the moon to meet an Australian, as his son lives in "Meelbon!!"Read more