How does a pilgrim walk 30 km with no damage to the body or soul?
Here is how we did it.
Up at 6, breakfast at the convent, (oats in hot milk, coffee with hot milk, and a rice cake with jam), and on the road by 6:45.
A cortado coffee at 4 km (less milk than a ccl)
A coffee con leche at 7 km.
At Villar de Mazariffe, at 20 km,we had lunch: rice and corn cakes with cheese, and orange, and another ccl.
We left there about 1 pm for a 9.5 km walk to a new albergue which is not in the Brierly book, so we knew it would still have space. We arrived at 3:20. It helped that we talked most of the last 8 km with Guiseppe, a young Italian man with great English. It also helped that we were dressed properly - not too hot, and that Bob had warned us at the second coffee stop that fatigue in the afternoon is either being dressed too warmly, or not drinking enough, so we pushed the water. And I made it, with no injuries, and no fatigue.
So, the recovery:
This is a beautiful albergue, only opened one year, so it is bright and clean and spacious.
The hosts were welcoming, and we ordered our dinner immediately. No worries about where to eat.
Then I laid down on the floor and did ¨legs up the wall¨ for 20 minutes. It helps my body to transition from constant motion to stillness, and reduces the puffiness in my legs.
The shower was spectacular: unlimited hot water, and a skylight in the bathroom.
Laundry by hand, outside in a cement sink, then hang them up in the sunshine.
With all the tasks done, time to check my messages on the internet and post.
So, all the necessities are in place for a succesful 30 km walk.
Bed at 9:30, with a sleep mask so it doesn´t matter when the lights go off.
Up at 6 tomorrow, for an easy 21 km walk into Astorga.
And so it goes for the pilgrim. More wild lavender tomorrow, and some under the pillow tonight.
