Day 3 - Salas to La Espina

Un-Planned distance 8.4 km

Last night I developed a sore throat, and by morning I was sure that it was the start of something unwanted. So out came the antibiotics. Time to rip this scratchy monsters claws out of my throat. I won’t allow it to derail my Camino. 

For the next 3 days I plan to do short distances of no more than 13km, giving my body a fighting chance to recover sufficiently for the task ahead called “Hospitales” (+- 34km of mountain walking, rising from around 600m to 1200m above sea level)

Around 8:00 this morning the weather looked rather bleak, grey, misty and ready to rain with out a moments notice. 

At this point I must say that I have been looking for a poncho, suitable to cover both myself and the backpack. Altus and Quencha are two brands that are not easily available back home. The shops here that could stock such items have either been closed when I have searched or not in a town I have been to yet. I asked at the albergue if they knew if any of the shops in Salas might have one? But sadly it was closed. That’s when they remembered that a pilgrim had left one behind and proceeded to hand it to me. Grateful I accepted as it would prevent me from getting wet if it started to rain, the “Camino provides” comes to mind. 

(Sadly it will only cover me, so when I find one that covers me and the backpack I will pass this one on to someone else who needs it)

Leaving the albergue, armed with my newly donated poncho, some fruit and nuts I continued the upward climb towards La Espina. I took it slow ensuring my heart did not have to work too hard. After a while I thought it was time to enjoy some of the cherries I bought the previous day, while enjoying the peaceful and relaxing walk through the forest paths, listening to the birds and water running next to me. 

I wish I had time to stop at some of the lovely log benches that I came across today. Had it not been for the rumbling thunder above with the threat of rain I most definitely would have de-backpacked and relaxed for a while, taking in the sounds of the forest. Perhaps I will come across more on the days to come.

After leaving the tranquillity of the forest paths I had some road walking to contend with. I’m not a lover of road walking, monotonous step after step and sometimes contending with vehicles. 

Luckily back on a rural road for the last bit and came across some cows with calf’s. Found some grass on my side of the stone wall and feed one of them, it seemed to smile in appreciation.

As I was only waking a short distance today I arrived a little early at one of the local albergue’s. Welcomed and found a private room as I need to get this throat bug squashed. Camino passport stamped with the required ‘sello’.

Had a lovely dinner, prepared with love by our hospitalero from Poland, with fellow pilgrims, four French, one German and one Iranian. Enjoined their company as this was my first official “Camino family dinner”. I look forward to many more.

Time to end for the day. Hope to be feeling better for tomorrow’s walk to Tineo.

Some pics of the day.

I wish I had time to chill there (threatened by rain)

Out with the old, in with the new