17 k or 11 miles with our Backpacks.
We started off at 7:30 which was before sunrise. Luckily we found a cafe for coffee and another croissant. It was a little chilly but one warms up fast walking with a heavy pack.
Have you ever seen more beautiful petunias?
Today’s walk was relatively short and not too steep thankfully. We walked mostly along the river Sil and got to see some of the slate tile manufacturing plants. Huge saws with lots of water cooling the blades. Makes you wonder how many blades they go though.
Finally reaching our destination after walking up to see an old church that wasn’t open. Stopped for lunch and a cold drink before locating a Pension to stay in to night.
These places are basic I guess you might say. A clean bed and blankets. 3rd floor walk up, water that doesn’t get more than luke warm, no other services or food and no heat. So no way to dry wet clothes. Did I say it’s raining again this afternoon and expected to rain for the foreseeable future?
No “early” Pilgrim menus in these little towns like on the other Caminos either. What’s really missing is all of the socialization at albergues and along the route during the long days. It’s a lonely trail with only a few dedicated albergues open. We actually met another Pilgrim today, only the 2nd one and he is from Germany. The first one we met yesterday from France who had begun in Barcelona.
The Invierno route is so different from any of the other Caminos that we have done. Steeper and longer stages plus less services, oh yes, and my decreased stamina are making this Camino more difficult.
Al and I are re-thinking our next days. This is suppose to be enjoyable, not just surviving.
Sorry there is not more opportunities for you both to meet other Camino walkers I know you enjoyed that interaction
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