Astorga

We are getting stronger and Patsy´s feet are getting better. She is still not carrying her pack, but she is enjoying walking more. We have had some cold and windy days, but today we are getting clear weather and warm. The walks the last three days have been great. We have taken quiet alternative routes. Today was cold to start but warmed quickly as we walked through almost complete silence. The mountains were in view all the route and are noticeably closer now. The wildflowers are still profusely in bloom. The land here is dryer and full of small round stones. I would say it is marginal crop land although on the level parts it is cultivated. The view into Astorga was exceptional. We approached it from quite high and could look down on the city. Only five churches were visible as the rest were on the other side of the city. The city center is where the tallest church is, always.

The Albergue´s have been very nice, although the beds in the last two were enough to give me a back ache. They are set up more for warmer weather, which hopefully, we will get more of now. They mostly have kitchens and cooking is a nice alternative.

We find that figuring to walk 10 miles a day rather than our originally planned 15 works out better. We did our 10 miles today by about noon which will leave us the rest of the day to explore Astorga. The main church was designed by Gaudi and we plan to see it for sure. There are supposedly lots of Roman remains here.

I think we have about 270 kilometers or less to Santiago. It should be quite doable for us.

We walked with a couple of men from Belgium. They had both been in some trouble and their judge gave them the option of prison or walking to Sangiago. The judge gives them 15 euro a day for expenses which forces them to find a church or free albergue and to be careful what they spend their money on. An older couple from Belgium has been walking with them and buying them coffee at the bars to ease their way. It seems a very practical alternative to jail to me. The judge reasoned that it would get them away from their bad friends for 3 months or so and give them a chance to get their life straight. And it is cheaper than putting them in jail.

The local people we meet are friendly and helpful. Of course the other pilgrims are pleasant, with many ¨Buen Camino¨ greetings.