Oct 28th Santander

I left the refugio to find a beautiful day. God it felt good to be alive. Santander, it's sheltered harbour and sandy beaches, green hills, and mountains beyond with warm sunshine. What a contrast with Santiago !
What to do with the ferry not leaving until 9.30 in the evening ? Walk of course, and sight-see leisurely.
By 10a.m. I was in t-shirt and shorts and it got up to 25°
The problem with strolling for me is that my back was aching by mid afternoon.
I got onto the ferry and suddenly it's French prices for beer, twice the price of a a Spanish bar.
Farewell my beloved Spain. I'll hopefully be back in March to carry on walking the GR7.

Oct 27th Santander

Day 74

I probably have walked 1000 miles which was my goal. aka the Proclaimers ! ("I've walked 500 miles and I'll walk 500 more", or something like that)
I booked a coach to Santander, and a ferry to Plymouth. So in the morning after a prolonged breakfast and goodbyes with Anne as she walked on, I had a 9 hour coach ride to Santander.
It would've taken over 3 weeks to walk it.
Santander provided me with a Pilgrims refuge, as it's on the camino del norte. and a lively city. Lots of branches of the Bank of Santander !

Oct 26th Santiago de Compostella

Day 73  

A rest day. Anne moved over to my hotel to share my room, and the cost of the room. Albergues are €12 here.
She was hungover, so had a bit of a kip, whilst I went to the cathedral for midday mass and the pilgrims blessing. It was a bit boring, after a wander round the catheral I went for a beer. It was raining and cool, no bueno ! No one was about so I wandered back to the cathedral just as the incense burner thing was being swung back and forth. It is very impressive and 6 men pull on a rope to get it swinging. It's what most people go to the mass for probably !
After a late lunch with Anne we chilled out in our room. It was raining steadily.
The weather forecast is for rain each day until next monday. I'm not walking to Finisterre in the rain.
The weather  for Barcelona is good and  a flight is only €110 return. mmm a few days there then walk to finisterre next week !
Hotels are expensive there and I'm not into hostels any more after the snorers.
After thinking on it for a few hours, I decided the most economic thing to do was finish my walk here. Blimey.
So it's a bus to Santander tomorrow and the ferry to Plymouth wednesday evening - my walks finished - rain stopped play for this fair weather walker.

Oct 25th Santiago de Compostella

Day 72    14.3 miles    Total 951

Oh god ! it's the last leg into Santiago,it's the journey not the destination, that's so true. I fear it's going to be an anti-climax.
After my 1st coffee break I fall in behind a pair of American twats babbling back and forth 'holy Mary mother of god . . . .' I should have let them go on ahead, but no I very slowly pass them and it takes ages to get away from them. A while later I see Mary (is she mother of god ?), and have a good moan about the twats and she tells me she's into that stuff as she was brought up a catholic, oops !
22km to Santiago and it drags on a bit. At Monte do Gozo whilst having a coffee Mary arrives. I apologise for being offensive earlier, but she's cool about it. We walk into Santiago together and the place she's booked into is full, so I eventually find an old hostal with a double room for€30.
Then it's off to explore and get my pilgrims certificate. Near the cathedral a shout from Paul and Peggy who are so delighted to see me Peggy's in tears. After a beer together and getting my certificate from the pilgrims office, I wait and wander looking for Anne who I said I'd meet at 5pm. I don't see her and wander off and buy some roasted chestnuts and eat them on a bench.
I've seen loads of people I've met on the way today.
I decide to go for a beer and tapas, eventually diving into a likely looking bar, I sit down and just finish my1st tapas and look up, and who's talking to a waiter - Anne. She was sat back to back with me !
After lots of hugs I join her and her friend. She'd waited and wandered around by the cathedral looking for me for over an hour.
Her friend left to find her husband, and we were joined by a French-Canadian couple I knew, then a big Aussie guy and a Japanese woman. It was quite a celebration. Anne was so drunk that me and the Japanese woman had to get her to her hotel and into her room.

Oct. 24th Astrar

Day 71   20 miles   Total 936.7

Another large woman snored all night apart from the few times I woke her. I went downstairs to the kitchen and read for a bit, but movement sensitive lighting made sleep there impossible for me.
Come the morning I was wandering about packing up in a black mood.
It was raining lightly as I set off absolutely shattered in a world of my own. A call from Didi brought me back to the present, I'd walked past him and Fracoise without noticing them.
Talking with them and a stop for coffee brought me to being just tired.
After lunch I'd recovered and passed and was passed by Didi and Francoise a few times. As They were stopping before me, we saying goodbyes when Timo, (Finnish, poker guy),
We walked on together and went to a perfect albergue 700m off the route. We had the place to ourselves. Plenty of space to not be disturbed by snoring, a woodstove and lovely people.
I found a book in English by Eddie Rock - The Camino de Santiago, a sinners guide. What I've read so far makes it the most hilarious book I've read, ever.

Oct 23rd Melide

Day 70    17 miles    Total 916.7

I'm suprised that I don't see more people walking the camino, as this last 100km is said to be busy. I guess it's late in the year.
Lovely walking through countryside dotted with small farms.
There are no shortcuts as in France, the Camino stays on it's original route through Spain.
After passing through the town os Palais do Rei I had lunch in warm sun, then walked the afternoon along leafy paths, seeing only 3 other walkers
On walker, an Aussie, Annie, had Pacerpoles so we walked and talked ultralight backpacking all the way to Melide. She was delighted to meet another gear-geek. I was staying in Melide, she walked on.
Melide is where the Camino Primitivo joins the Camino Francais. It's said to be the lovliest camino as it comes over the mountains from the north coast.

Oct 22nd Ventas de Naron

Day 69    14.6.miles   Total 899.7

As usual I was one of the last to leave the albergue, at 8.40 it was still before sunrise.
The walk was mostly along paths or alongside the road on unpaved tracks. It was high level walking until near Portomarin, where I descended into fog. It is a town that was rebuilt on the hill above when the Rio Miño was dammed.
After crossing the high bridge I met up with a french couple (Didi and Francoise) I've been seeing most days since the ascent in the rain to O Cerbrio.
Didi suffers vertigo badly.and had to get a lift in a car across the bridge !
After an initial steep climb from the river the camino ran parallel to a road, then followed a quiet country road to Ventas de Naron, where I decided to spend the night.
Didi and Francoise appeared at dinner time, and we shared a table. They told me I was their camino angel, as I always appear when they need guidance - I'm not so sure of that, but I've helped them a couple of times.
The night was a disaster, as there were 2 champion snorers near me. The guy next to me was bad, but the other snorer was so deep as to almost be physical, and when I went to shake them it was a woman. There was no where to go as there were movement sensitive lights in the corridor and outside was illuminated by a street light.

Oct 21st Morgade

Day 68   16.6 miles   Total 885.1

After a roadside walk for a couple of miles from Samos I took a quiet alternative route to Sarria. It was longer but so lovely. I only saw 2 people, Nicholas a 77 year old American who is curious about everything, and Betsy. Betsy was almost in tears with happiness when I met her, stood admiring an old chestnut tree. She was blissed out, bless her !
Sarria is a big starting point for many pilgrims as they can get their certificate at Sangiago for walking the minimum distance of 100km.
I walked straight through and stopped for coffee at a bar at the next village.
I reached the lovely albergue at Morgade. Whilst talking to Ashlee, an American woman with shin splints, Mary (Teignmouth) arrived, it had been a while since I'd seen her.
A communal meal followed with 20 people from 8 countries. It's what I enjoy about the camino, especially as the common language in these circumstances is English !

Oct 20th Samos

Day 67    14 miles   Total 868.5 miles

The rain had gone but dawn found me up in the cloud still. Glimpses of lovely views, but it was only after dropping a few hundred feet that there was any views.
Galicia is beautiful, so green, dairy country, the aroma of cows at every farm.
After Triasatela and a little road walk, the path followed the river on proper paths until Samos.
Today was the most lovely walking on the Camino so far !
Samos is dominated by a huge monastry. The albergue attached to the monastry has existed for more than 1000 years.
I went for a smaller place. There were only 4 of us staying there.
In the evening I went for dinner at a restaurant with Betsy, a Dutch woman who lives in Eire. We met up with Alan and his Canadian companions, who I've gradually got to know over a few weeks.
For dinner I had Trutas, (6) small trout that were rolled in flour and fried, ala Sprats, wonderful.

Oct 18th Ruitelan

Day 65    13 miles   Total 844.5

There are 3 routes from Villafranca, 2 high level routes and a road walk. With rain forcast for the afternoon, I took the shorter high level route, 8 miles.
A very steep ascent straight out of the town, levelled off after a 1000'.
The 1st mile or 2 was through burnt trees and scrub, the smell of it still in the air, but already green shoots were appearing at the base of burn shrubs.
The burnt area gave way to cultivated Chestnut woodland. Lots of people filling sacks with chestnuts.
A steep descent brought me back to the roadwalk.
My heels were not happy on the hard surface and I booked into the albergue Potala at Ruitelan at 2pm.
After an afternoon in the bar opposite, I had the communal meal at the albergue.
Each time I woke during the night I could hear the rain on the slates above me, it was very cosy

Oct. 19th Alto do Poio

Day 66   10 miles   Total 854.5

The day started with loud classical music to wake everybody, horrible.
The nights rain had eased when I set off. I decided to walk the road alternative rather than a muddy walk through the forest. It's so green now, plenty of rain as I approach Galicia, Atlantic weather.
It was almost 2000' ascent up to O Cebriero.
At the 1st village coffee stop I found I'd dropped my glasses on the way. Whilst writing my blog a Danish family walked in with my glasses.
The rain came down hard. Some people are so ill-prepared for bad weather. I had my brolly to keep me dry, just my feet got wet. None the less, I stopped a village before the one I'd targeted. A wood stove blazing and hot radiators convinced me.
The albergue didn't have a good write-up, but plain homecooked Spanish food and not crowded made it for me

Oct 17th Villafranca del Bierza

Day 64   12 miles   Total 831.5

Walking on quiet roads to Cacabelos for my 1st break, where I saw Alan, an English guy I've seen regularly for 2 or 3 weeks, and my companions from last night. I took an hours break here, then walked to my destination through hilly countrside and vineyards. Bierzo wine is very nice.
Villafranca del Bierzo is a large village with many restaurants and bars, and 2 rivers. Lots of old houses
The albergue had a well equipped kitchen, and I cooked my own dinner. So many albergues recently have restaurants attached, and no kitchen.
After an early dinner I went for a walk and met up with Steve (American guy from last night), and his wife, who's name I forget.
Meeting so many people it's often hard for me to remember names.

Oct 16th Columbrianos

Day 63   14 miles    Total 819.5

I couldn't not go fast off of the mountain, a rough path and I just flowed to Molinseca.
After coffee break in the village it was level walking on concrete pavement. Ooh my battered heels. I regretted my fast 3000' descent. After a couple of miles I took the longer alternate route into Ponferrada.through
Ponferrada is a large ugly modern town. I sat at a bar for coffee and to rub foot balm into my heels, then walked the town. 3 miles later I booked into an Albergue.
I met a Costa Rican woman and an American guy, and had a good evening with them.

Oct. 15th El Acebo

Day 62   18 miles   Total 805.5

The sky was just getting light in the east when I left Sta Catalina. The walk continued on a gravel track parallel with the road. It was very cold and there was frost. I stopped for coffee and to warm up at El ganzo. My wet socks that were hanging off my pack to dry had frozen.
After the village of Rabinal del Camino, the path started rising and suddenly after so long with not much energy, I was energised.
Good bye meseta and f-ing boring walking.
People say the meseta is very interesting or it is the spiritual section of the walk. Bullshit, to help them get through a crap section of the Camino.
I was so happy to be going uphill. I stopped at a medieval bar in Foncebon for a quick coffeeand carried on to the abandoned village of Manjarin.
I'd thought to spend the night here as the very basic albergue was run by a character called Thomas the Templar. He even dresses as a Knight Templar.
The place was filthy with dogs and cats everywhere, it was early and I was energised, so I carried on.
At over 5100' I reached the highest point on the camino, with views of Ponferrada in the valley beyond.
A descent of over 1300' brought me to El Acebo. I read in my guide of an albergue in a new hotel on the edge of the village that was only €3 more a night than the one's in the village. Reckoning it wouldn't be so crowded I booked in. It's really smart and upmarket.
Wonderful views, more staff than guests and I had an 8 bed dorm. to myself.

Oct. 14th St Catalina de Somoza

Day 61   14.5 miles   Total 787.5

As soon as I left the village the landscape changed, gently rising, uncultivated bitsof land and patches of woodland.
After a few miles I came across a small refreshment stall run by an elegant woman who was totally blissed out in the nicest way. Everything was free and organic. It was open 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day.
I had very little energy today, so it was a bit of a plod.
Astorga was a.large town and many people were making it an overnight stay. I carried on.
After Astorga the camino enters the isolated area of the Maragateria, scrubby and wooded.
I was pleased to arrive at Sta Catalina. The albergues were both modern, I chose the one with the better menu. I'm.over pilgrims menu's which are good value but similar, and had bacon, eggs and salad.

Oct. 13th Villares de Orbigo

  Day 60   16.5 miles   Total 773

The day started cold and clear, lovely after 2 cloudy wet days.
The path was parallel to the main road between Leon and Astorga, lots of traffic.
I was delighted to see an end of the Meseta ahead. Today though I walked through the Paramo, bleak plateau. It would have been in last weeks winds. I had to use my brolly during the afternoon as the sun was so strong.
Villages and coffee stops every few miles, along with walking slowly made for an enjoyable walk. I was passed by many people. This cold is hanging on.
Some people who passed me must have started their Camino in Leon, or needed to get to their finish point, they walked with a sense of urgency and looked prime candidates for blisters or injuries.
Even strolling along I arrived at Villares de Obrigo by 3pm.
The albergue is owned by a woman from Belgium, surrounding a central courtyard and beautifully restored.
There was only 4 of us staying here, a couple from Finland, and a guy from Brazil. We each had our own small dormitory. There was a communal meal that was superb.
I slept on the sofa on the upstairs veranda, my perfect place to sleep. I have fond memories of sleeping on veranda's in India and Nepal.
This albergue is the best place that I've stayed, so far.

Oct. 12th Virgen del Camino

Day 59    4.5miles   Total 756.5

I slept outside, another guy and his dog also slept outside. It rained most of the night, It was lovely being warm and comfy breathing fresh air listening to the rain.
In the morning the rain had eased and Tolo, Bob and I went for breakfast together. Bob and I were meant to meet up with Jam, who was renting a flat for the coming night.
Tolo was meeting his friend who has been in an hotel in Astorga over the weekend.
The rain had stopped and the sky was lighter, so Bob and I decided to head on.
It was 4.5 miles of suburbs to Virgen del Camino, I was tired and decided to book into the albergue. It was closed so I got a room in a nearby hostal.
It was a national holiday and thr hostal was heaving, and I spent the afternoon drinking and eating tapas with the locals.

Oct. 11th Leon

Day 58   8 miles   Total 752

I woke up after a couple of hours sleep, with the radiator next to my bed being hot. I remembered I'd left my washing on the line, and it was raining. I got up, took my sleeping bag to the lounge area, got my wet washing in and put it on the radiator, and left the snorers for a peaceful sleep.
It was a damp start for the walk into Leon, that turned to rain. Ah bless my brolly !
Leon was having a fiesta weekend, everywhere was full, so I had to book into the municipal albergue. very crowded....
Tolo was already there.
Lots of people everywhere. Tolo and I had excellent tapas wherever we went, no need for a meal today.

Oct. 10th Puente Villarente

Day 58   14.5 miles   Total 744

Today started warmer than the recent days. The camino was the same tedious gravel path alongside quiet country roads.
The 1st village, Reliegos, and coffee stop was over 8 miles. The bar I stopped at had walls covered in graffiti and the owner was a character.
The meseta gradually changes, and today there were a lot more trees in the landscape.
At Mansilla de las Mulas after crossing the river the path was beside a busy main road. I met up and walked the final mile into Puente Villarente with an interesting American guy, I'd talked to before, Tolo.
We booked into a smart albergue, and met up for the evening later.
He lives incredibly simply. just the small backpack he has here and a suitase of possesions in the USA at a friends house.
We were joined for the evening by an artist from Grenwich Village, Dawn. At the end of the evening she told us how mice it was to share her 50th birthday with us !
Tolo and I talked until after midnight back at the albergue.
There is so much of our past that is similar, especially India. It's rare to meet someone that I have so much in common with.

Oct. 9th El Burgo Ranero

Day 57   11miles    Total 729.5

I was the last one to leave the Albergue at 8.15, though some of the others could've stopped for breakfast. I'd made my own.
Cold again and a walk along a gravel path all the way to El Burgo Ranero. It was nice to see the Picos del Europa to the north.
I met up with the German guy at a cafe, I often see him at cafe's, but not elsewhere.
I'm booked into a Donativo. The volunteer hospitalero had a go at me for not being in the bed he'd alloted to me. Being a volunteer often makes these people officious.

Oct. 8th Sahagun

Day 56   15.6 miles   Total 718.5

Cristal clear and no wind made for a cold start to the day. As the sun rose higher in the sky a breeze built, luckily a tail-wind. It stayed cold until after midday even with full sun. It's over 3000' above sea level on the meseta.
After a couple of coffee stops and with Sahagun in sight I caught up with Jam, a Canadian, and met Bob another Canadian I'd only seen before.
As we were walking and talking we passed through 2 carved pillars by an old church. Only later did I find that this is the halfway point on the camino from St Jean Pied du Port. I thought I was further on than that.
Sahagun is a large town so I could resupply on food and coffee.
The kitchen in the albergue lacked many pans and utensils, so I met up with Jam (West Indian, asian before emigrating to Canada), and Bob for dinner.

Oct. 7th Calzadilla de la Cueza

Day 55   10.6miles   Total 702.9

I set off at 8.30 as I was only walking to the next village. I'm taking it easy until I feel strong again.
After crossing the river the landscape was very different to before Carrion. Very flat with more tree's and less ploughed fields.
After a mile or more roadwalking the camino was along pista. Unexciting, but with regular picnic sites. At the first one, miles from any habitation, an enthusiastic little dog greeted everyone. He was well fed, I wondered if he lived there.
I walked the final stretch to my destination with Tom, the American guy with the same pack as mine.
There are adobe buildings still in use in this area, most are a neglected looking. The Albergue with the tipi had exposed adobe walls inside.
I had dinner with a guy from Finland, who is walking the camino to give himself space to think what to do with his life. He's been a professional poker player for a few years. He says he's made enough money not to have to work for a few years annd got bored with poker !
I found a quiet room downstairs in the gite all by myself for the night.

Oct. 6th Carrion de los Condes

Day 54   6.3 miles   Total 692.3

No rain, but still the strong winds on the straight road to Villalcazar de Sirga.
The crosswind was so strong that some cyclists were pushing their bikes.
I was sweating in my wind jacket and trousers but the wind would have chilled me. After a drawn out coffee I carried on to Carrion, where I didn't intend to carry on from today.
All I wanted was a long hot bath, so I found an hostel (cheap hotel).
After a good refreshing soak I started to explore the town. I met Wilbert, the Dutch hospitalero outside a bar. His car had broken down and he was waiting to get it sorted out.
I had a siesta and lazy afternoon. I met the Zpacks Americans who I thought would be way in front of me, they were staying at an old monastery that's now a 4☆ hotel.
Back at my hostal I met JJ, a German guy I hadn't seen for a few days. A sore leg and the weather decided him on resting.
After €28 for my room, I bought salad stuff for dinner from a supermarket and improvised as I had no plate.

Oct. 5th Villarmentero de Campo

Day 53   0 miles    Total 686

Part of my tiredness yesterday was due to getting the 'Camino Cold'. Sleeping in dormitories is not good, (Burgos was the last one for me). I decided during the night to have a rest day here.
My prevoius rest day had been in Cajarc on Sept. 2nd. It was still very windy and raining.

There was a superb spread for breakfast including home baked wholemeal bread. So different from the usual breakfasts in Spain and France. Having a rest day allowed my appetite to appear in between sneezes. I ate toast, muesli, cake, orange juice. Only instant coffee was a disappointment,
I bought coffee in the bar and people watched as pilgrims a arrived wet and windblown. A few I'd met before. I was glad to not be walking and at this wacky place.
I talked with a couple from Bulgaria today, a 1st for me. I reckon that women outnumber men 2 : 1

3rd Oct. Boadilla del Camino

Day 51   19 miles   Total 676

It's just light at 8am. when I set off with spare socks on my hands as mittens. There's a ground frost.
I feel sorry for the people who set off in shorts.
At my 1st village coffee break I remeet Stan, a Brit and Troy an Aussie. Then along came Inoa from Guernica in the Basque region, later I walk with Inoa, she's really interesting, worked for NGO's in Palestine, Bolivia and Columbia.
We stopped for a lunch break at a bar and I got to know a few Spanish people I've been seeing most days.
Inoa decided she'd walked enough for the day. I carried on to Boadilla del Camino. So many of these villages are what they are because of the Camino.
I passed 2 albrgues before going into one recommended in my guide. Whoa, lots of familiar faces and people laying around on the lawns in the sunshine amongst sculptures. A nice place and meal in the evening.
Today I met a woman from Poland and a couple from Hungary, firsts on the walk for me.

4th October Villarmentero de Campo

Day 52   10miles   Total 686

I had a pleasant nights sleep on the floor in the lounge area of the albergue, yet felt tired in the morning. The 1st person left at 5.30am., and it doesn't get light until 8am ?
I decided to only walk a short distance. It was gently raining as I walked beside the canal to Fromista. I got talking with a woman from Teignmouth who was also wearing a rain skirt, mine I call a kilt. Mary wants to get into ultralight backpacking, so there was a lot of talk about gear.
Whilst in a bar on coffee break, the rain came down harder for a while. There was a roadside walk to the next village, and I veered off to walk a very seldom used path beside the river. The wind was picking up across the flat landscape. I was glad the riverside route was protected by trees.
On the last stretch a man  stopped  his van, got out and cracked open the largest, sweetest almonds I've tasted. Such a lovely gesture, he chatted away about how good it was to be walking the camino. I understood about 1 word in 10.
The Albergue I stopped at was wacky to say the least. Geese and chickens wandering about amongst a tipi, cheap tents, and sheds that were for hire. I decided to sleep in one of the tents. The tipi was more money than the albergue to sleep in.
As the wind got up to gale force several of the tents collapsed and I moved into the albergue.
The wind force was crazy, it would have been hard walking in it.
By late afternoon the Dutch hospitalero (manager) had returned from Holland. The locals put on a celebration for his return, with Cava, hubby bubbly pipe, and adults only cake.
It was funny to watch with an Austrian woman, who works in airport security.

2nd Oct. Hontanas

Day 50   20 miles   Total 657

Having to be in the albergue by 10 was a bit of a drag. Burgos was just coming alive. Right through until after 4am. revellers could be heard in the streets. In the morning the debris from drinking was everywhere around the cathedral. I had a coffee in a bar and was told it was like this every night of the week !
Once clear of the suburbs it was flat until after the 1st village, where I met Paul and Peggy. We walked together through undulating countryside that gradually rose, before dropping to a valley and the village where they were staying.
I carried on gradually ascending to the meseta, table land, a plateau that is the main feature for the next week. There are descents into valleys and up again.
At the last minute Hontanas appeared. As I dropped into the village, I stopped and chatted with a French guy who was camped with his dog. He has a push chair to carry his gear, and the dog when she's tired.
I stopped at the 1st albergue for a beer and to read about the accomadation. I looked around and decided to stay. It was new, purpose built to a high standard and only €7. I had the communal meal which was an excellent paella with unlimited wine. Needless to say a very good evening followed

1st October Burgos

Day 49     9.5 miles   Total 637

I walked before daybreak with Terese and Sue 2km to the next village, where we had coffee at the bar as day dawned.
The walk into Burgos was around the perimeter of the airport, then for a few miles alongside the river amongst trees and grass into thea centre of Burgos. A lovely way to enter a city.
After dropping our bags off at the municipal albergue, I went to the post office and collected my down jacket and other bits, and a replacement carbonfibre strut for my backpack, (the original one broke during baggage handling on the flight to Lyon).
Lots of familiar faces everywhere. I had a haircut and beard trim.
In the evening I went for a meal with Sue, Christina, and two German guys, the younger one Timo is very smily.
Terese wasn't feeling well. The Irish nutters finished their camino for this year in Burgos, I'll miss their company and humour.

Sept. 30th Cardenuela Riopico

Day 48   15 miles   Total 627.5

On returning to the Albergue last night there were already 2 people snoring in the dorm, so I took my airbed and quilt and slept outside in the covered area at the rear of the building, nice !
In the morning I went to the bar with Christina for coffee and a croisant and we set off at dawn, after most folk. On the way we met up with Paul and Peggy (USA) and walked with them to the 1st village, where we met up with Sue and Therese (Eire). The 5 of us walked on to Altopuerco together. Therese, Sue and I carried on to Cardenuela Riopico and stayed at the tiny Albergue Municipal.
After a communal meal at another Albergue and a couple of beers at the bar, I set up  my bed in the communal area and slept well.