10 June

Razor clams

 

8 June - Santiago de Compostella

 Dinner with the family in Santiago. I had artichokes with ham.

11 June - Madrid

Stayed in an awful hostel but downstairs was what I called a special restaurant

  

 

1 June - Stage 7 - Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada

Up in the mountain in a bar, met the Anglican minister and her husband.

Had a wonderful meal at Manola. Note the pulpo and the green hot peppers from Padron

 

 

26 May - Stage 1 - Oviedo to Venta del Escamplero - 12.8 km

Left Oviedo. Started to walk to Venta del Escamplero.

Followed metal shells in the road and yellow arrows - became lost many times - association needs to replace and add more direction finders. When I got into the country and the narrow road/paths the way had enough markers.

The roads are tiny roads between small farms. Cowbells with different tones could be heard. Sheep are in the fields. Not sure if these farms are able to support a family or if they are weekend farmers.
Ambled on. Had coffee and ham roll at Lloriana and followed arrows. One arrow said go right so I did, and was scared walking a very narrow path for about 2 km through bush and trees. Alone. Eventually, it came to a widened area and a way marker. Then up a hill, up, up, up.

Stopped at Venta del Escamplero for a lemon and beer drink, and lunch, and decided to stay at the hostel here. Only walked 12.8 kms today, but the next albergue is 14 kms away, too far. The food at this place is awesome. The albergue may be noisy - there are sheep in a field next door!

Dormitory

Noisy neighbours

View of the valley

25 May - Bus trip Madrid to Oviedo, and afternoon in Oviedo

Up early. Walked to Sol Plaza and took a taxi to the Sur bus station. Bus station organized with Spanish efficiency. Had a coffee, then onto bus. Leaving Madrid land is flat with large fields of green and gold, young grains growing, like the land near Bredasdorp.

Just passed Leon and can see snow on the mountains ahead, 17degrees outside. Seen trees / forest now for first time. Driving through the mountains breath taking. Went past huge dam.

Arrived in city and found hotel. Went exploring and had lunch. Made a bad lunch choice - had Asturian stew, then tuna omelette and salad. The bean and pork stew had my tummy grumbling for the rest of the day and night.

Took a taxi to the Naranco pre-Romanesque palace and church. Amazed at the lack of security and the state of the buildings which had been built in the 880s. Walked down. Foot sensitive. Glad that I taxied up and did not try and follow the directions I had. Glad that was out of the way before the big day.  Later I went to the old cathedral, had my passport stamped and did the tour. Saw the relics. Thought about the past and what people believe in and thought control.

 Naranco pre-Romanesque!  

Evening wet and cold. Could not seem to find a bar that sold food - probably too early. Went into one bar and found an Argentinian tango dance class in progress - lovely. Bought 2 rolls, went home and wrote the diary. Tried to catch up on two nights of poor sleep.

Cathedral in Oviedo

Dinner in Madrid

  

  

Dinner at a little restaurant in a busy street! A different world!

Grilled vegetables in season, wine and chickpeas