Cornfields and pavement
June 4, 2023
The Albergue provided breakfast for us and I ate with two girls, one from Boston and one from the Netherlands. It was an overcast morning once again as I joined two other pilgrims walking the backroads from the village. I stopped at a bar and had a second breakfast because I had a feeling I was going to need it that day! After several steep climbs on trails, the rest of the day would be spent on back country roads walking through endless corn fields.
About halfway through the day, we descended to the port village of Luarca. It was a very steep descent down the streets towards the city center. The small port and downtown area were bustling with people. Then, of course, the long, steep ascent out of town followed. After a long series of switchbacks, I found myself surrounded by flat cornfields where the newly planted crops were just starting to grow.
The last long day
My allergies had been in full force for the past couple of days, just like what happened last year. Thankfully, I was prepared and brought meds with me to help keep me from coughing all night. Today was BRUTAL! Sixteen miles, mostly on pavement just trashed my legs and feet.
I was staying at a municipal albergue that night so I wanted to arrive early enough so I could get a bed. The albergue is in an old school and it was a full house. French and German pilgrims seemed to be predominant and I did manage to get my bottom bunk in a corner. I took my shower and hung up my clean clothes from yesterday that were still wet and am just airing out today’s outfit.
The hospitalero brought dinner for us to eat family style which was a lot of fun. The guy sitting next to me from Norway actually owns land just west of San Antonio and his wife works in Dallas. Small world! It was a pretty chilly night so I was more than ready to get to bed and my down quilt. Tomorrow will be a much shorter and easier day so I planned on sleeping in.
Photos: Click to enlarge
