After our night of entertainment we awoke and were both knackered. You can’t stay out watching horses and drinking beer until the early hours and then expect to function at 100% the next day. 

Well, I can’t, Jenny is 26 so she should have been able to but I think she was more tired than me!! 

It didn’t help that it was raining and we had this thing to contend with pretty much straight off the bat.

Fortunately the path up to the top was pretty solid. We were a bit concerned it was going to be a mud fest but it turned out alright. The incline was still a bit of a struggle though. 

Not as much of a struggle as it would have been with my tent but still rather tough. Fortunately I’m super strong and hard as nails so I bossed it. 

The views at the top were pretty spectacular. As far as you could see there were rolling green hills spattered with livestock and wind turbines. 

I noticed that pretty much every piece of land had been transformed to breed livestock or grow trees. I’m not sure you will be able to see it in the picture but all the trees you can see have been planted for wood. No natural growth, all regimented and spaced apart for the most efficient use of land. Felt a bit weird to be honest.

After walking for a few kilometers we started getting hungry and thirsty. We didn’t know it but the next town would be our home for the night. We stopped at a bar and another pilgrim said that the albergue in the town 5km from us was closed. Decision made. 

We started walking to a hostel that was about 1km away and bumped in to Sean and Sam, a Canadian couple we met last night. They were sitting on a bench wondering what to do because they had planned on staying at the closed albergue.

We suggested we all pile to the hostel nearby and see if we could all get a bed.

First thing the hostel man scared us with was the “do you have a reservation?” question. We said no and he said “no worries” 

I really wish they wouldn’t do that!

We all checked in and were shown to our room.

It was luxury.

Proper bed sheets with blankets, cubby holes by the beds for phones and charging, rainfall showers, complimentary hand towels free coffee and a fully functional kitchen. 

All the things we have at home but all the things I only get every now and again whilst doing this Camino. 

Appreciating the little things can officially be ticked off my Camino list.

We all decided to take full advantage of the kitchen. 

Sean made a fecking amazing pasta thing with jalapeno peppers and chunks of garlic and Jenny whipped up an awesome salad to accompany it. Myself and Sam sat and drank wine and beer while putting the world to rights. 

It turned out to be a really great evening and an absolute pleasure to meet and spend some time with new, lovely people. 

Tomorrow is a decent 20km so an early night and an early start are on the cards.

Apart from the mountain this morning I have very much enjoyed today. To be fair even the mountain wasn’t too bad…….I take that back, the mountain was crap.

BUEN CAMINO