Astorga - Foncebadon 27.2 km October 20

Yesterday after a very restful afternoon we wandered around the square and met the German speaking fellow from Orisson, who barely speaks some English , (who said to me that he left his wife and family behind for 6 weeks and promised to come back a better man). He was buying mittens!

We have one of the best meals so far , salad, a seafood stew and some delicious chocolate dessert. Excellent.  Dining with us are a young couple on their honeymoon  from Ireland who are cycling the camino, and another couple from South Africa and Rhode Island .  While we are dining we have an Ann from Perth sighting so we stroll across the plaza to chat with her and she tells us about the opulence she and Liam enjoyed at the Parador in Leon

The Spanish children in the plaza are sure having fun!  We have noticed the Spainish people, especially the women, to be very well dressed.  And a general absence of obesity.

Astorga is the founder of chocolate in Europe so it would be just wrong not to try some.  I am not much of a chocolate connoisseur but oh my it's good!  So worth it.

After not a very good sleep which I'm sure had nothing to with red wine and chocolate we leave Astorga by the light of a full moon.

For the first two hours my blister only hurts when I walk.  Then I think about the Irish biker yesterday that said he reckoned blisters on your backside were much worse than blisters on your feet.  I reckon he was right.  Even though my foot is screaming pain - I put it out of my head and forge on.  Tough - I'm tough like that!

We stopped for breakfast at this delightful place at Santa Catalina de Somoza

We had the usual tortilla and Alieve.  A very cool place (and clean)

I realized we would have a huge climb ahead of us - just didn't realize it would be all in one day!

We climbed 500 meters today.  The guide book suggests we stop after 22 km but we carry on for another 5km

Don't these little crocus know it is October already?!

And then this beautiful rainbow

The walk is very pleasant, it starts out cool but when the sun comes out it gets warm and humid

We stop in this skeleton of a village, Rabanal del Camino

 and stick our head in the church

Oh my

We eventually reach our destination, Foncebadon, which is remote so we have a choice of 3 albergue.  We check them all out and come back to the first one, Convento de Foncebadon 

16 euros pp including a pilgrim supper ( with garlic soup)

We are sharing a room with 8 others.  So far out of my comfort zone but making the best of it!  

It is well with my soul!