6/5 Friday Samblismo to Berducedo 24km
Breakfast was scheduled for 7am as everyone leaving here has a long day ahead. Heike and I planned to walk together and we're off into the misty morning before 8am.

Immediately out of Samblismo the steady climb of 1500ft ran for 7km with the mist restricting any possible views as we gained height. This section of the Camino is called the Hospitales as there are the ruins of three refuges for pilgrims along the way.

The first ruin, Hospital de Fonfaraón is at 1205m and the mist was clearing a little. The slope eased as we walked towards the ruin of Hospital de Valparaiso 1165m. It was approaching here that I spotted an easily attainable summit (1292m El Picu Cimeiru) a little to the right of the Camino route so we agreed to head higher and have lunch at the top.

Great decision as the views from the top in all directions were worth the effort. The sun was shining but there was a cold breeze so I put on my hat and jacket. We ate lunch and took lots of photos before heading back down to the Camino trail feeling quite pleased with ourselves for making a little extra effort and having the summit views to ourselves whilst the pilgrims religiously followed the trail not far below.

We were soon down and re-joining the route only to bump into Mark from last night's Albergue. In fact, as we continued along the high ground to Puerto Del Palo where the alternative, lower route rejoined the Hospitales we met most of the pilgrims we'd eaten with last night.

There seemed to be almost a continual trail of pilgrims so the Primitivo was proving to be a much busier route than I'd anticipated. One guy was even walking along with music blaring out from speakers. Noise pollution! I felt like telling him to buy some headphones.

From the Puerto the trail dropped steeply for a good kilometre to the hamlet of Montefurado where we stopped in a sun trap and had a second lunch with the elderly but lively Spanish couple from last night.

There were a few more minor ups and downs in the heat of the afternoon and then some welcome pine wood shade before we eventually strolled into Berducedo just before 5pm.

Our Albergue here was linked to a restaurant with a sunny outside space. Given the heat we opted for drinks before the showering and bed sorting routine.

Mark strolled in a little later do we agreed to eat together from the menu if the day- lentil stew, chicken and chips and almond cake all washed down with red wine and water.