Updating 3: the saga continues

One fianl comment about Bodialla del Camino before moving on. The place is reasonably large for a typical village but it seems to be devoid of any human activity other than that surrounding the albergue. Not one resident was abroad throughout the whole time we were there. Saw a horse (and took a photo thereof) but that was about it. Strange wee place.

Anyway you have been waiting to hear about the walk to Carrion de los Condes. Not much to report other than we took the wrong road and I got chewed by mosquitos and the lumps are still with me 5 days later. Took the scenic route along a nice river. It was a nice day, quite cool in the shade of the trees bordering the river and a blessed relief from the sun which was beginning to boil the air around us. Stopped off at an open air bar (hut in the shade of some trees) that was closed and then stopped off at another open air bar that was open. The girl at the bar had been on the Camino the year before, fallen in love and returned to be with her love. Hopefully her love was worth the devotion because the bar was far from the ideal place to spend a live. Had coffee and cake before heading further on and finally arriving at Carrion de los Condes.

Booked in the monastery albergue which was very nice. Had a courtyard shaded from the sun, very good accommodation but the clothes washing facilities were rather primitive including cold water only. Serves us right since we had intended to booking the convent albergue which had much better facilities. However after 20km in the sun any refugio will do.

The town is lovely and was the biggest and best developed place we had been in for some time. The highlight was a birthday party for Oscar, held in the church square and attend by every Italian who had made it Carrion. Everyone else from Bodilla were also there to cheer on Oscar. At the request of the two Dutch ladies, Greg and I gave a verse and chorus of a popular Irish drinking song. We were not that great but hey, two glasses of wine and you can get away with a lot. It also helps if the audience have had more than two glasses which they had. A really good evening and one which allowed us all to reinforce our sense of companionship and common purpose.

Mark headed out about 5.45 but I wanted some breakfast so waited on the cafe opening at 6.00am. Great coffee and cake. Left about 6.15am to catch up with Mark and promptly got lost. Found the right road by about 7.00am but by then I was raging mad at myself since this was going to be a long hike, over 30km and I had already lost the plot at the start. Didn´t help that the mosquitos from the previous day had passed the news on to their relatives that I was in the area. They all came to visit.

Will followup later, people waiting to use the PC.

best,
Arthur