Stage 2: Hospital - Murias de Rechivaldo, 27 kms, Sunny & HOT, 34

At Last....Breakfast!

This next one was by Rob...I'm the one flapping his wings.

Last night we had a merry-go-round trying to find a place to eat dinner on a Sunday night. We walked from place to place and sat and departed in search of some sustenance to carry us through the next day. The problem was that everyone was out taking all the seats in the bars and resaurants and it was so crowded with Real Madrid playing football that we just couldn't get a drink, and a meal was out of the question. We were almost ready to give up when we ventured into a place and I spied a dinning area and presto we were in and treated to an excellent menu del dia including trouche (trout) and flan for dessert. It was just what we needed and we crawled back to our albergue at 11 and got ready for the next day then slept a few hours. 

This morning we slept in and extra 15 minutes and were up at 6:15 to walk out in the dark as is my preference. The morning is amazing for photography with its warm golden light and soft albedos. As we set out I explained to Rob that today's we would be leaving the flat Meseta behind and would start the process of walking into the hummocky foothills of the coming mountains. 

We chose to walk the more beautiful and less travelled variant in order to see an old friend from three years prior. We crept through quiet villages enjoying the soft light on the church bell towers, 

as well as the peacefulness of the road. It was lovely in the early cool morning air.

We stopped to visit an old friend to many peregrinos.

And then walked on to visit David, someone I'd read about 4 years ago who had set himself up at a location before Astorga to provide a peaceful place for refreshment and discussion.

We have often wondered where he came from. He has now been joined by a lovely woman Sarah who is from close by Adelade, Australia. We had a short, but enjoyable visit with them and it was pointed out to us that the addition of a woman's touch had resulted in the introduction of some beautiful flower beds which can be seen behind me. Annemarie, we have been invited to spend the night next time we pass by!

Ken and Christine, this one is for you.

From there it was onwards to Astorga...a few shots of that part of the day which may be familiar to some.

Endlessly interesting where footwear on the Camino ends up. Fascinating!

Then there are the very cool bridges as one approaches Astorga...

We arrived into Astorga hot and dusty to find a welcome had been kindly set-up by the local chapter of the Amigos of the Camino. Cold water, a warm welcome and a very nice stamp on our credentials lifted our spirits. 

It was hot and getting even hotter! We stopped to test out the chocolates. Annemarie, you would have hated this part of the day! 

Yup...I know I'm a dead man walking! Rob insisted..

I waited very patiently in a shaded spot while Rob visited the cathedral and museum.

And then it was off to find lunch and then to finish what was now a very hot day which I measured at 31 at noon. An uncomfortable, exposed straight shot some 5 kms to our destination. I like the heat, but this was getting a hit ridiculous even for me!

And finally, finally we found our casa rural and a piece of heaven! After ice cold showers to cool body core and a first shot at some pretty high laundry we settled in to rehydrate.

Oh and the title of today's blog...well it's Monday and we finally found some breakfast. Rob was a pretty happy peregrino. Now he knows the difference between Sunday and Monday in Spain! 

Tonight dinner is all vegan, but fortunately the vino isn't! 

A shorter day tomorrow as we climb into the mountains to stay just below the Cruz de Faro. That's the good news...the bad news is that while we climb, so will the temperature which is forcaste to climb to 36, that's in the shade. That's Camino for you. As usual Rob can't hold his beer and has been napping again. Guess I'll go check the laundry...work, work, work!

Buen Camino!