Camino Day 29: Villafranca to Trabadelo

Total Distance: 13km
Step Count: 21.6k
Blisters to date: 2
Tortillas to date: 22
Injuries: shin splints

While today was a very short day, it was all up on the mountains! Nothing like a bit of a sleep in and a steep climb to get the day going. The walk itself was simply stunning!

On our way, we had a long break at the top of the mountain and then another one in Pradela, a cute little village where we enjoyed a delicious lunch (omelette as there was no tortilla) and played with the cutest kittens and cats! So many stray cats in Spain 🥺 I also bought some blueberry jam 😋

We barely saw one other person on the trail and loved having the mountains all to ourselves. It was all blue skies and sunshine until like 2km before our destination when it started to drizzle.

The day before, Lukas was being all infects out whether he wanted to stay at Trabadelo or keep going to Las Herrerías so he could do a stretch horseback riding. I was hoping to stay at Casa Susi, a very small Albergue (10-12 beds) established by an Aussie woman who has a beautiful and inspiring life and love story (feel free to ask me about it). It’s one of those stories that make you believe more than ever in the magic of the Camino! ✨

When I called to book my bed, there was only 1 left and I took it as Lukas was uncertain as to what he’d do. They said that if he stayed in town he could still join the communal dinner and that they’d call me if any cancellations (very slim chance).

So we are on our way and Lukas decides to stay in town. One hour later, I receive a call about a cancellation and just like that a bed at the Albergue had become available. Coincidence? Camino magic? I prefer to believe the latter and so did Lukas when he finally and wholeheartedly manifested he wanted to stay there. 🏡

The Albergue was so beautiful with a huge veggie garden which is used to make the communal dinners for pilgrims, access to the river, and the closest thing I ever got to having a “private” room in a shared dorm!

The dinner was one of the most fun nights we had to date, the food was unbelievably delicious and we befriended the whole lot on the table! Everyone went around sharing their story and why they were there. The rest of the night was filled with funny tales (anyone know much about the witches of Pamplona?), so much laughter and finding out that all the Aussies on the table (like 8 of us including the Albergue owners) we’ll be reuniting in January in the Blue Mountains! ⛰️Read more