1/5 Sunday Oviedo to Paládin 19km
As yesterday I grabbed a bowl of muesli, ate an apple and headed out into the fine drizzle. My plan to spend the morning sightseeing was somewhat curtailed by the fact that it was Sunday and everything was closed.
I did a quick tour of the old town sights again, got my selfie at the cathedral- the official start of the Primitivo and had a stroll round Parque San Francisco- over 900 trees of 51 species according to my guide. In the guide the Buenavista Complex looked a very interesting building even if closed. Part of this was the Palacio de Congreso. Stunning architecture so well worth the detour.
By 10:30 I was done so found a cafe for second breakfast and looked at getting back to the Camino. The route out of Oviedo was much better than yesterday's route in. I was out in the countryside within an hour.
Quite hilly so by 1pm I was ready for lunch. I found a quiet spot by a woodland stream where I was passed by a group of four Spanish peregrinos, who I met in the Albergue, and a lone pilgrim.
A little later I passed them as they took a break in a cafe. Having done my planned 12km I was comfortable continuing to the next Albergue as it was only another 7km. The lone pilgrim caught up so we chatted and walked together. This was Michael, from Nuremberg, who was just starting his Camino from Oviedo.
We walked on to the Albergue at Cornellena which was also a busy restaurant. Too busy to check us in. It seems it was Mothers' Day here. So we eventually got beers and Michael decided he'd walked far enough too. The Spanish group were already here eating too.
Eventually, we all got checked in and were put into a single dormitory when it was clear there were at least three possible rooms. Two more women arrived so the dormitory was full!