I should be in Astorga again tomorrow which wont be a problem for me as I am quite fond of the place with its Gaudi palace and fine cathedral. But here's the plan for the next week which will see me in Compostela next Sunday. As you can see they are pretty short walks as I want to be able to catch a bus in Ponferrada.
8th Hospital de Orbigo
9th Astorga 16km 850mt
10th Santa Catolina de Somoza 9km
11th El Ganso 4km
12th Foncebaden 13km All up hill to 1500mt
13th El Acebo 13km mostly downhill
14th Molinaseca 8km downhill
15th Ponferrada 700mt
On the way from the Villadangos albergue this morning, I was aware of someone in the distance behind me. It came as a great surprise when the footsteps got louder and then came a shout of 'What the hell are you doing here , Derek? (or words to that effect) It was an English guy called Alistair whom I had met around the end of my first week on the trail. I was surprised as he was and it turned out that he had to go back to England for a meeting and had just returned to the walk at Leon. Had a pleasant walk to Hospital de Orbigo punctuated with a couple of coffees and a fried egg breakfast.
Hospital de Orbigo is a very pleasant village on a river. Beside the bridge, under reconstruction, there is jousting arena which is used at a festival here every year. Pity about the iron work, it looks like a fine medieval bridge.
The San Miguel albergue is a large rambling house on the main street with walls covered in paintings (for sale no doubt) and a well under the iron staircase.
Its a day for blogs. What a difference it makes to have a freely accessible wifi and some time on my hands. I went out this evening looking for a meal but more of that in a moment. The sight of that full boot rack would strike fear into the heart of a weary traveller just arrived. This is the way that most albergues deal with the incredibly dusty battered boots that come in on the (blistered) feet of tired legs. And then below the pictures of knights who make regular appearances here in in the town.
Artist materials are freely available in the albergue which gives the inmates an opportunity to express there feelings on a board. Not quite sure what to think when I see some of the efforts.
Now for the food. During the trail I have been hard pressed to find a no nonsense good value eating place like the ones common in most cities and towns in Europe. Mostly I have seen the type of restaurants that have fancy menus with prices to match. They often skimp on the quantity and want at least 10 euros for the pleasure of eating it, and thats not including drinks. But this evening I found this place called Los Angeles where I found just stuff I need for this wandering lifestyle. The whole thing, including a coffee was 5 euros. Of course nothing is completely straight forward. It was well worth the cost but watch out for the bread trick. (80 cents and I didn't ask for it. The waiter (in picture) backed off gracefully and knew he'd tried it on.
Looks a bit greasy but great for an active day ahead.
