Very tired, so a quiet evening in the bar of my hotel joining a couple of pilgrims. Pat from Lismore and her friend. After a beer, champinions with bacon entree, lamb cutlets and chips, flamm dessert. I also had a fish bowl of sangria. I expected to see gold fish.I finished with a hot chocolate and a good night’s sleep. Early start this morning, freezing cold again, fully clouded, I didn’t have far to the edge of the village. I felt good. I didn’t think this morning was any colder than the last few days, but many pilgrims asking why I don’t have more layers on. Even a couple on bikes slowed down to ask me if I’m cold. I yelled no, I’m actually freezing, but soon walking will warm me up. I think everyone wears the pilgrim’s costume of covering up from head to toe,and I don’t, maybe that is why I stand out. After eight kilometres, it hadn’t warmed up at all. I also had accepted that probably another ten before I would get something to eat and drink. I could have stopped for my flask tea, but the weather was too cold. Another two ks, and an albergue cafe four hundred metres away. Beautiful. As I approached, the rain started, only light, so I left the poncho alone. After potato tortilla, bread and hot sachet chocolate, I was revived and ready to press on. Before the albergue sign, my mind was starting to struggle. The track was the same as a cartoon, every thing flat, road with white lines, track with green strip in the middle, and maize growing both sides. Finally,a bend in the road. A train in the distance on the right hand side of the road. And then the sign. My mind was good again. It wasn’t long before the light rain got heavier,so I dislodged the poncho and wore it for the rest of the day. I stopped about five ks from Leon and ate a ham and cheese baguette. I was starting to look like a drowned rat, and I was knackered. A taxi went past, and I waved to him. He stopped, and I couldn’t refuse. Two hours walking,or a ten minute cab ride. After almost thirty ks, fifteen icy cold, fifteen raining, I think I chose wisely. In the meantime, my three amigos are waiting for me in a bar for four hours. How generous of them. How brave they were, but I have no energy left, I will catch them tomorrow.







One response to “No title”
Hank, we hope to catch you in Leon tomorrow!!
Mark
LikeLike