Snowing in Foncebadon

Emily and I decided to make a run for it today from Astorga.  Who is this Emily, you may ask.  A British painter of dogs, 33, cute as a button, and rather sassy for a Capricorn.  Actually, we keep meeting in the most random of spots, today we reconnected in a small town outside of Astorga at the most magical organic cafe run by the incarnated woman from Chocolate, named Pilar.  El LLar to be exact.  I was coming out of the loo after snorting down a cup of chocolate soup and she was just coming in.  Kismet again, clearly.

Needless to say, we made an attempt on Foncebadon to find it snowing and 4 degrees...AFTER ploughing through rain and wind so fierce it literally blew the raincoat right off my backpack. Never saw that one again. I wonder if REI will replace things that the wind has stolen...







The Taberna de Gaia took the edge right off though, after an earthen jug full of vino tinto and a roof tile turned serving tray full of jamon, queso, acietunas, and pan...photos are impossible right now since the spanish computers do not feel inclined to accept my American technology.


You´ll have to use your imagination to paint a medieval cafe, comoplete with candelabra thick with fountains of dried wax and servers in leather tunics.  And animal skins on the walls. Muy autentico, as they say.

Tomorrow, we´re going to make a go for 54 kilmometers, or 33 miles for those less metrically inclined. We want to test ourselves for one day and see if we can hack what the peregrinos of old did in a typical day.

Pray for us wanderers in our day of foot folly.  May our toes stay strong and our resolve sensible should our shins rebel.

Camino.