Saturday in Astroga

It is with a heavy heart I write this because this stupid computer would not post the the last 15min of typing. So I have to begin again. Big sigh.

So let me pick up the pieces in Villa de Mazarife. I had a good eveing there. For the evening meal we all gathered in the dining room and at the table of 10 people, I had met 8 at various stages along the Way - that is the wonderful thing about the camino community. The meal was excellent and included pumpkin soup which confused all the europeans at table. The kiwis and myself were the only ones familiar with it! I had a good nights rest because the dormitory was spacious and not full.

I set out early on Saturday with much trepidation - todays walk would be 30-32km (depending on which guide book we consulted).  One interesting I passed through was Hospital de Obriga as it had a stone bridge of 19 arches - the longest stone bridge in Spain. I finally reached the brow of a hill at 2.00pm and looked down on Astroga with the catherdral the clearly standing out. I descended into the town of SanJuan and it took 30min to walk thru it. That only lead to the outskirts of Astroga and it took another hour of walking to reach the albergue. That is the frustrating thing about cities - you see them and it takes forever to walk thru them. Anyway I was really tired by then and stayed in the Albergue San Xavier, accross the way from the cathedral in an ancient creaky building. My feet were aching and my legs were stiff - but I made it- my longest walk to date. I was so tired and my feet so sore that after a rest I only went as far as the cathedral and Gaudi´s palace next to it. There was a chocolate exhibition about 7 blocks away and I forewent the pleasures of chocolate because it meant walking there!

I attended the vigil mass for pentecost at the Carmelite convent - which was facing the albergue. Then went with some other pilgrims to the Hotel Gaudi for a fancy pilgrims meal. Only pilgrims at my albergue get a special card which allows them to do it. Had a great eveing and went to bed with sore feet.

However I woke up feeling fine on Sunday - feet and legs recovered. But that is for the next post!
Adios.