What Now? Another Surprise Body Surprise

Villar de Mazarife/Villavante/Hospital de Orbigo/Villares de Orbigo

Sept 30. 18 km

We continue on a path of small villages that are so accustomed to having and helping pilgrims that we feel welcomed in each one. Our morning stroll started on asphalt-yucko. No traffic, but the dreaded asphalt is hard on our bodies, especially after being spoiled by clay paths yesterday. After about an hour, the asphalt gave way to clay and rocks. The skies were partly cloudy and prevented the night to get too cold. 

We didn't stop for food, as we started the day with some yogurt, breakfast bars and coffee at Casa de Jesus.

Big bushes of rose hips have been our constant companion during the past number of weeks. They look like gigantic berries, brilliantly reflecting the sunshine that fall on them.

The autumn colors are beginning to become more evident. The beauty of the sunshine on the leaves was just too much of a temptation...I had to capture it.

We had a treacherous highway crossing before coming to an ancient Roman bridge, Puente Orbigo. The bridge was beautiful and is on the site of some famous jousting that helped settle who was the ruler...for that century. I've been amazed at how many conquerors have taken Spain and then been taken themselves.

The bridge is also the where the knight who Don Quixote was fashioned after did his deed of saving his valor. 

We stopped briefly in Villavante to review our map. As we walked on, John's shin splints flared up. the pain grew worse and worse as we continued. By the time we reached Vallares de Orbigo, he was in such pain that he could barely walk. Ibuprofen, Voltarin, ice and leg up. He napped all afternoon. All day he said he would be able to make it to Astorga tomorrow, about 15 km further down the road. Even though he is a bit better, I was able to convince him that there are options and that we can always stop with less kilometers being walked for the day. We'll see how it goes...

Our walk into Viallares de Orbigo was lines with beautidul trees.  The village is being renovated, like so many others along thee way. 

Our hospitera was from Belgium and has been running this really wonderful albergue for only three weeks. She made us dinner and breakfast.

With only eight pilgrims, I know we are still on the path less traveled. 

As fall is fast approaching, we will be sure to get some warm hats tomorrow. This evening we discussed the possibility of only going as far as Cruce del Ferro. We can return to finish another year. John is hurting so. I've told him that he has another 25 years of walking. It actually selfish if me...I don't want to have to push the wheelchair!