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| Leaving the Leon Paradores at 8:45am |
We slept until 7 and had a fantastic breakfast at Paradores San Marcos/Leon then went back out to reality ... Left at 8:45. It's always pleasant walking out of big cities as we have lots to take in, and today we weren't in a hurry with only 14 miles. It's funny how 14 doesn't seem like much anymore, especially when the weather is so nice and terrain is mostly flat ... easy peasy!
After two hours of hiking, Sue looked at her pedometer and it read 5 miles, which is really slow for us. We both said enough of this dilly dallying around ... had a good laugh together ... then fired up our 3.5 mile per hour pace which is a good clip out here. We arrived in Mazarife around 1:30. We are in a private Albuergue for 30 euro with a private room and two twin beds ... no sheets or pillowcases so our silk liners come in handy tonight ... have to watch out for bed bugs ugh!
We had nuts and a beer for lunch with our friends Patricia and Lola from Toronto ... they really make us laugh. They are staying for 5 euro across the street in an absolute dump for an Albuergue. We went over to their room to take a peak and it was hilarious. They could have easily stayed at ours, but they just happened to pick the wrong one. They both want to sleep on the floor in our room. They joined us for a great peregrino meal topped off with a chocolate crepe!
Sue and I were disappointed in no mass here tonight and hope to make it in beautiful Astorga tomorrow.
We are going to start at 6 am or earlier as we have six hours of hiking ... 20 miles and forecast is for 60-70% chance of rain with 22 mph winds. Our weather has been incredible for 22 days so we can't complain. The only bummer is we have what are called "emergency ponchos" and it's going to be comical if the rain and wind really do pound us.
We feel fortunate to have our health and a good shot at making Santiago on October 4th. Sue's Achilles tendon is doing well and my neck is well rested and feels fine.
Sunday is our last day of the Meseta and soon we enter the Galicia region which is supposed to be beautiful.
If any of you are considering the Camino, you can financially do it for as little as $35 per day ... room and three meals ... by staying in Albuergues. Now, Albuergue communal living with 20-50 bunk beds in a room is predictably difficult to sleep ... even with earplugs. The rooms are hot and stinky. If you plan it right, you can upgrade to a private room with shared bath and your price jumps to $35-45 per day for all meals and housing. Lots of us stay at Casa Rurals, Pensions and Hostels. Again, these prices range from $30-80 per night. You can really plan for your own budget. The number of days needed ... barring injury/illness ... is 33-35 days of hiking. It's hard to type this all out on my phone so call us when we get home if you'd like some help planning your Camino de Santiago.
We feel like we are living a dream out here and appreciate every moment. Hope all is well back home and we feel your support! Blessings to all of you.
Steve and Sue
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| Our 40-hour respite is over |
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| Sue is a pilgrim |
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| Community laundry |
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| Sue's answer to flies |
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| St. James |
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| Our friends from Toronto |
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| Tight quarters tonight |
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| Beautiful mosaic entering town |
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| It's rare to see grass |
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| You NEED this stuff for your feet |
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| Out on the road today |
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| Small home |
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| Cross and blue sky |
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| Head chef tonight |
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| 40 people for communal dinner |
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| We live by a different map every day |
Steve, we did check the CF website and were extremely pleased to see that along with the monies that your fellow peregrinos, friends and family have donated, you and Sue have not only reached your goal for CYSTIC FIBROSIS, you have reached beyond at $11,375 or 114% - CONGRATULATIONS!!! All our love, Mother and Dad
ReplyDeleteHey mom and dad hope it doesn't rain on you guys today! Mom I hope your ankle continues to hold up and the flies quit bugging you. I love you and hope you have a safe day of hiking :)
ReplyDeleteLove Craig