Slept well but as usual somebody felt the need for an early start so most of the dormitory was up by 7am. Heike made porridge which made a change then we were out to the cafe for coffee and on the road by 8am.
Overcast but quiet paths mostly rising through woodland. We gained 300m of height and then lost most of it again before Monte El Cierru.
Shortly, the sun was breaking through and we were road walking to Campiello around lunch time with 9km done. We stopped for coffee and quietly ate the sandwiches we’d brought along.
The local Camino Taxi guy, who transports pilgrim bags, stopped by and joined us. Heike has got to know him as she needs her main bag transporting to protect her painful leg. He was a nice guy and told us it was hard to make a living from the baggage transport service.
Campiello was an important place as the supermarket is the last place to buy food before tomorrow’s Hospitales route through the mountains. So we left with even heavier bags but thankfully only 5km to reach our Albergue in Samblismo.
The Albergue is friendly and offers an evening meal. I’ve already met and chatted to Mark, who is around my age and from Texas, who’s doing the Primitivo before heading off to Mallorca for a yachting trip with friends who are flying over.
I also recognise quite a few pilgrims from previous albergues and days on the route.
Tomorrow will be a tough 24km over the mountains with 500m of ascent and not even a water source along the way. I’ve decided to treat my back to a reduced load and will pack up some stuff in a dry bag for the taxi service. However, I will still carry my sleeping bag and tarpaulin in case of emergency.