Day 30. To Cacabelos

Rained through the night and quit just as we started walking and started again in earnest on the last part of the day. The mountains are now topped with snow and probably also the path we took yesterday. Luck of the Irish to miss it. Not only colder but tough to find the Camino and navigate the rocky paths if they are snowy. Another high climb Thursday but it will be warmer so snow should not be a problem. I am the only one still in shorts and get lots of looks; most people are bundled like this is the Arctic.

Dressed the toes; still look terrible and now giving the odd short sharp twinge of pain. Taped the suckers down tight and will hope for the best. Toe Much Information? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Picture is of us sitting in the beautiful cafe of the equally beautiful hotel La Mancloa de San Lazaro, a former 17th century pilgrim hospital. The open pit fireplace is covered by a 12 x 12 wood smoke hood. This is a famous wine region, growing Mencia grapes and we have just consumed a fantastic bottle of 2005 Canedo Mencia Crianza. Our bar tender is a very interesting guy; speaks about as much English as we do Spanish but we are communicating nonetheless. He advises that Crianza means the wine has been aging in barrels for nine months or more, and if the bottle says Reserva it has been aging 18 or more months. What a wonderful experience this whole walk has been and we have only 9 days left to Santiago. Both feeling more regret than relief; perhaps we should just keep walking!
Buenas Noches!