Rabanal Del Camino

Astorga – Rabanal Del Camino 21km

Step by step, town by town, crushing the km down and down. Roughly 237km to Santiago. 💪🏻

An early 7am start today again to get the km done before the sun starts melting me. Quite a walk out of Astorga but not as bad as Pamplona or Logroño. This is the last day of La Meseta. We start to climb the mountain out of the desert area and get back to nice twisty paths among forests and wooded areas.

I actually enjoyed the Meseta, it give me a little time to think about this journey and the people I’ve met along the way. Whilst I have made some great friends and had plenty of laughs, I’ve realised that when it comes down to the bare bones, everyone has their own plan for life, and everyone (including myself), although not always intentional, will do whatever it takes to try to make that plan work. I have met some people that I really enjoyed being with, but due to my plans or theirs, we have had to separate on this journey. Some we meet again for a short period, but on this journey, most are just passing strangers helping each other when we can. I don’t want this Camino to end as I love it soo much but equally it would be nice to get back home to family and friends and try to implement the things in life that I have learned here.

O.K. – about today’s trail, pretty much long straight roads for the majority of the distance stopping in a few villages for food and rest breaks. Most notable was a few teepees in view on way through El Ganso. – This is actually an albergue where each teepee holds 10 beds. Its called The Indian. Further on into this village there is the Cowboy House/Bar, with a church and an overgrown football field. Maybe the Cowboys once played the Indians in a penalties at dawn kinda shootout!

The pathway went on in the scorching sun for miles. I didn’t meet too many people I knew today. Which was ok as I wanted to walk at my own pace breaking in the new shoes.

The closer I got to Rabanal, the more the pathway changed again to trails in the woods which I love. Passing a few horny bulls again, I eventually got to my albergue La Senda. Checked in, cleaned up and went down to the bar for a beer and a big steakburger. I met a Swedish guy called Bengt who I shared a dorm with last night and we had a few beers together. We were then joined by a 57yr old Florida lady, Tonya, who I thought was a bit crazy but it turned out she had been very emotional at one stage yesterday and begged Bengt for a hug randomly. I would say he was more than happy to give her a hug. 🤨

I went up to the town for a walk to get a big bottle of water and found a small chapel run by monks. I took a wee dander inside, and found it to be a real comforting little place. Nothing fancy, just the basics and kept tidy. I see more and more of this every day on this Camino. Everyone outside the major cities seem to survive within their means and do not care for appearance or status, and most are content.

Going for a walk to the supermarket now again to get some grub for tomorrows climb up to Cruz de Fero, where I place a stone (That Jamie Lei kindly prepared for me), at the cross. This signifies a release of burdens and the start of a new life.

I will stop for the night at Molinaseca before going to Villafranca Del Bierzo on Friday.

Buenas Noches! 🥱💤