Day 12 - Granon to Villambistia

Day 12 - Granon to Villambistia

Cloudy, showers

I think we have lost our favourite photographer. We first met the Brazilian gentleman in Puente la Reina where he picked the bed closest to the door. We soon found out why. He gets up and out the door early. We ran into him the next few stops, always checking in after him, and asked him to take our pictures several times. The one in Viana where we put our bags in line against the wall was his handy work. Then he began to take pictures of us as well as for us. He doesn't speak English and I don't Portuguese. Couple of days ago, he was pointing at his knees and wiggle his hand. We all know what that means. And he said he is going to go slow. Yesterday, sure enough, he beat us to the albergue again. Today, there are just too many choices of towns to stop in this area and I am afraid we won't see him again.

We got up early today and started walking just a few minutes after six. A record for us. We were determined to get to Villambistia today to make sure the distances are manageable over the next couple of days to Burgos. Rain showers in the morning were a nuisance but kept the air cool. We did 22 km in 6 hours. I think we know our pace now and can plan accordingly. We also know our limit of around 25 km on flat ground but 20 to 22 km going over hilly terrain. Anything shorter feels like a waste of walking time which will turn into extra days.

The albergue today is a nice place. It is a bar, restaurant, albergue combo a short distance off course in a residential neighbourhood. We think maybe that is why it is not filling quickly. Extra distance is frowned upon particularly when you don't know what you are getting into. We already messed up twice over the last couple of days and resolved never to go off course to hunt for bar/restaurant again.

Pilgrim dinner is the usual fare with pasta and chicken. A bottle of wine of course. The albergue did not fill to capacity today. There are 9 of us having dinner together. Four from Canada, three from the United States and two from Germany. Quite nice.