Breakfast in the alburge dining area was served very efficiently. We were given a range of coffee choices (both selected cafe con leche) and a large piece of toast with the option of marmalade nor a tomato spread. Susie chose the former and I the latter.
We were the last out of our 6-person room and did the hospitalario the courtesy of stripping all the beds in our room. They provide folded clean linens on each clean bunk, but it saves them a lot of prep time if they don’t have to strip each bed.
Headed out for our shorter hike at about 8. Before leaving Arcade, we happened across the young ladies from the UK that I’d met a few days ago. So happy for Susie to meet them as well. Shortly after that we crossed a Roman bridge over a river.
I think I was looking at tomorrow’s map when I told Susie I thought the terrain would be mostly flat today. Within the first hour we’d climbed to a 140 meter peak. After the decent, it did turn mostly flat. Susie and I were both impressed by a young couple practicing the liturgy of the hours while hiking. He was reading the main portions out of a book while hiking up a rocky trail, without looking at his feet. She was reciting the responses.
Second Coffee was a long time coming. There was a split in the trail and we chose the complementary route because it appeared to be more shaded. It was. Through the forest. Along a river. For miles, adding about 3 miles onto our hike. The first welcoming sign of civilization was an Aldi as we entered town. We stopped for a break and for lunch supplies, both of us gravitated immediately to the Zumo de Naranja machine which made us each a quart of fresh orange juice for under €3.
I was grateful to see our hotel was just off the main trail in the heart of the city. We checked in at registration but our rooms wouldn’t be ready for an hour. So we sat at an outside cafe, ordered Second Coffee, and had our lunch as a picnic.
Lunch came with a show. A little dog, off lead, apparently thought he owned the nearby square. He sat on or under the stone bench at the center of the plaza. His owner was nearby. He’d run barking after other dogs (selectively), bicyclists, scooters, and sometimes people. He go back to his owner whenever called. Quite entertaining.
After we got settled in, I took a quick walk down to town center to see the little chapel of the Peregrina at the center. Built in the Baroque style, it had a large stone dome at the top. I paid the €1 to access the winding stairs to the dome, got dizzy looking out over the railing, and retreated to a tiny display of Baroque life in at room at the top.
Then headed back to the hotel for a lovely siesta.
Hoping for a simple dinner and an early night.
More later…
Please consider supporting our campaign if you are able. Thank you so much to those who already have. God bless.
https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water-2025