26 May Villaviciosa

A  hike of 19 kms today to Villaviciosa. Stayed on road to avoid the mud- got to our hotel early. It's lovely ! It's in the middle of town and in a seventeenth century palace . We have the attic and our host is welcoming and generous- she's even doing our washing.  There are several of our fellow peregrinos staying here too.

Things of note on our walk here were

the number of derelict and new buildings uninhabited or in disrepair due to the economic environment and our delight at finding a beautiful pre-Romanesque church built in 921, with original artwork and a shrine to the Virgin Mary - in the middle of nowhere :) 

Extra posts from Kitty's day

25 May Sunday Ribadesella to Colunga 20

Dedicated to Ola. : kitty's day.....

 Sunday I think!

Very interesting day.

Started of with daily panadol and nurofen  for one of us.

Stunning scenery especially for lunch , caught up with a lot of fellow pilgrims and had dinner with some kiwis slash Aucklanders ex pats.

Weather was forecast for lightening luckily we missed it.Below was our Hotel for the night.

 

Spanish police : Sunday afternoon drinks!

In the bar with us.

Notice the firearms!

Kitty was allowed out today much to our amusement!

Breakfast and coffee!

24 May - Ribadesella

Today's  30 km  trek from Llanes was blessed  with an unexpected sunny day and a cooling alpine-coastal breeze across off road tracks. Saw our first  camino cyclists,  many camping grounds, surfers and stunning beaches. The villages we walked through seemed to be weekend or holiday homes - having an air of not being inhabited. A Saturday market was a welcome relief - fruit! As was our hotel .... another night as 'Queens' whilst our fellow pilgrims are slumming it in what they describe as a 'not pleasant' albergue.

23 May: Llanes

Walked around 24 kms today from Bustio to Llanes (pronounced yah-ness) in variable weather. Expecting 25deg and light winds we encountered sun, showers, strongish coastal winds and temperatures of much less. 

Countryside lovely- tracks and lanes reminded us of parts of Queen Charlotte, and, well, we are used to wind!

Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean from our hotel room. It is pretty wild out there. 

22 May Thursday : Bustio

Distance 12 km Very pretty little village.

A lot of things are not open yet on the track as we are a bit early in the season. This also means we see very few people including the  locals!

Here. R 2 days  pics

Snail mail in Spain!

Does my arse look big in this!

Hay look at the kiwi...

Is she really wearing high vis!

Yip .....That was embrassing!

May 21 San Vicente De La Barquera

Today we had a camino baptism and actually took some doctor's advice.

We met a couple of Aussie pilgrims who were such good yarners and company they lead us astray - we missed our turn off and ended up walking 14km in the wrong direction! In doing so we found the only cafe in 2 days. Orginal decor, but man, could they make a good brew! Jude's lost cap was returned by a French pilgrim as we sat working out what route we should be on, as a local dog barked at us!

San Vicente was a welcome relief.  We have realised the Camino route is not direct,  but very scenic and avoids the towns. After soaking our feet in cold water we visited the 8th century castle that dominates the township and San Maria de los Angeles church ... built in 1210. At dinner we reflected why we are doing the Norte route route .. fresh local fish, good wine and a decent stroll . Then we took on board  some medical advice .... spend a couple of more pesos

and sample very scrummy wine.