La Laguna

Well, today's walk went quickly!

Granted it was only 18km, but there was the little matter of 700m of climb as well.   The guides describe this as 'difficult' - but it's not difficult by (say) Lake District standards; it has several very steep bits but the surface is generally very good.  Also I was up early; the usual susurration of people quietly getting ready for early starts was louder than usual, and I was thoroughly awake before 6, so off at 6:30, and breakfast by 7:15 in a cafe attached to a truck stop which the Camino actually passed straight through.  The nearby town had a pilgrim statue at its entrance...

Onward to Las Herrerías, which has an almost alpine feel to it. By now the way passes through fields of cattle, with cowbells.  In one was a cow with a calf still slightly unsure of its legs, so not far from new-born.  And there's the option of using horses for the climb! (I didn't).

So onward and upward; and the rain forecast for 11am arrived, with a few rolls of thunder, an hour and a half early.   Damply onward and upward, then. The anorak keeps the rain out at the cost of keeping the sweat in!   But the combination of the rain clouds and the light from the sun to the East provides quite a picture behind me.

And then, almost suddenly, here I am; the village appears and the hostel for the night is gained before the morning is even over.  And as I arrive, George is just leaving, so another farewell before he's off again!

First into the dormitory, free choice of bed - and a period of complete quiet with just the muted sounds of people passing by on the other side of the wall.  And there's another view, still with the rainclouds, from just outside the door.   

Time for a beer, perhaps!