Day 8/23 Astorga - Rabanal

I headed out alone today for the walk to Rabanal. Another rest day for Mike’s heal, he will get a taxi to Rabanal.

It was a beautiful 8d morning. There is snow on the mountains but thankfully no wind today so perfect conditions.
It was strange walking alone, but so many people do it and it wasn’t long before I teamed up with Peggy from Orange County CA. We ended up walking the whole day together.

We made a few stops for breakfast in Santa Catalina - yum - it’s amazing how the style of food has changed as we go alone. Lunch at the Cowboy Bar in El Ganso where we were entertained by a Pilgrim on his guitar playing Cold Play songs. As usual, tending to our feet, shoes socks off, reapply barrier cream. I was down to shorts and T-shirt today.

We walked with Vange from Vancouver- she had a small size pair of knickers on back of her pack - a real conversation starter. Her first story was she planned to fit them by the time she got to Santiago!

We passed Jim from Ireland who was heading back the SJPP. He had made really good time getting to Santiago so he decided to do the return trip!

It was a perfect walking day and seemed such a shame for Mike to miss it, but to my surprise he appeared about 1k out from Rabanal. His resting and new gel supports have made a big difference.

Our accommodation is really nice. Small self contained units on a large property with dogs, a cat. We sat on the deck chatting to our neighbors, Beryl and Belinda (Mum, daughter) from WA.

We headed into the village for dinner and were told about Vespers run by the Benedictine Abbey of San Salvador del Monte Irago at the church Iglesia de Santa Maria. It was lovely.

Rabanal is a picturesque village. All cobblestones and on an incline. There is a camping ground and we have seen one family who are doing Camino on bikes towing a small buggy behind where the two children travel. Amazing what some people do.

We had the usual pilgrim meal with Peggy and then wandered back to our digs on a perfect spring evening.

Breakfast €3.50
Lunch €4
Dinner €29
Bed €50