Camino de Madrid/Camino Francis, Day 32, Monday, June 11, 2018

Melide to A Salceda (17.14 miles/27.60 kms)

Today was going to be questionable day to see if I was well enough and had enough energy to walk. I woke up feeling a little better, a good sign, but I still wanted to be cautious. I got up at 6:00 and started out the door by 7:30 to the usual dark cloudy sky, with a little fog.

The Camino crosses the road about a block from the hotel and I moved onto it at that point. It was wide compacted gravel road and it was fairly level. For the first few miles it ran near the road and crossed it several times. I could definitely feel that I was not one hundred percent, and seeing the usual ups and downs on the Camino trail as opposed to the more level road, I just moved onto the road after a few miles and stayed there until A Salceda.

After about eight miles I found myself struggling with some of the longer uphills, even though they weren’t that steep or long. I had considered stopping at Azura, but it’s a bigger more modern town that wasn’t one of my favorites from staying there before, and decided just to go a little further. My energy level was constantly up and down, and before I knew it I was in A Salceda. I was s little surprised that it was over seventeen miles, especially after I had considered stopping after eight.

Once I got to Salceda I had planned on staying at a hotel on the further outskirts of town, so I’d have a shorter distance tomorrow. I didn’t reserve it because I wasn’t sure how far I’d walk today and called to reserve it. As it turned out the hotel was, “completo!” Full! I called another hotel and they were completo too. I called the Alberque Turistico Salceda and they fortunately had a private room. I hesitated at first because it’s about a quarter of a mile from the road and Camino. Funny how that is, I walked seventeen miles today and I didn’t want to walk that extra quarter of a mile! I guess it’s the same as me walking hundreds of miles and then driving around a parking lot endlessly looking for a close place to park!

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Alberque Turistico Salceda because it was very nice place. almost too fancy for an alberque. The place looks brand new and has the look of a mountain chalet. As always, the price at €35 isn’t bad for as nice as it is. However, no bath tub, so I sat down in the shower and let the hot water pour over me for almost a half hour.

The alberque is a bit isolated with no other bars, restaurants, or stores close by, but they have a bar and restaurant here so I will have dinner here tonight.

Tomorrow I hope to make it to Santiago. It is about fourteen to sixteen miles, depending on the route. The terrain to Santiago is fairly similar as today, and if I get a good night’s sleep, and feel better, I should hopefully be there by early afternoon? This will give me Tuesday, and all of Wednesday, to spend in Santiago. I would have liked to spend a few more days in Santiago because one of the things I enjoy is seeing the excitement of the pilgrims coming in to finish their Caminos at the cathedral. It has always been a lot of fun too to meet fellow pilgrims at the bars or restaurants that are willing to share their stories.

I will also go to mass and hopefully see the incense ceremony (shown in the movie The Way), which isn’t done all the time, but usually is on Wednesday. I know now that the best place to sit is in the front row reserved seating area because no one ever questions you! Ha ha!

Best wishes to all,

Ted

As always, please excuse the typos, grammar, and spelling, etc., because I am writing this on my phone and don’t always review my blog. And, even if I don’t review it, it’s a good excuse for my mistakes!