This was a tough day both from the distance and from the weather.it rained most of the day so not many photos I am afraid. The one below I took as I was leaving. I am a member of this organization but had not heard of this relationship to this albergue. Apparently they made a grant to this albergue some time again and a room was named in thanks for the donation.
There were two options for us today. Either a 26km Route over the top of the Mountain with no options for a break along the way. Since everything was wet it meant basically keeping moving in the rain for about 7 hours. This did not appeal to us and we chose the alternative of a longer Route (30km) but going through two villages where we could stop and get some refreshment and dry off at least a little. The extra 4km would make the next days etappe to Salamanca shorter as well. With the extra 2km I had walked first thing in the morning it made 32km for me but despite the rain I did not find it too tough
Left the albergue at about 7:30. It was really the least comfortable place I have stayed on this trip. Extremely cold everywhere, even in the sleeping room even before the wood stove went out when we went to bed. I managed to miss the way out of town and ended up back at the albergue after 2 km in the rain. So I set out again, this time on the right track
First a short stretch along the road and then onto an unpaved trail which had a lot of potholes filled with water and several streams crossing it, some with stepping stones and some without. Along with the wet grass it almost guaranteed wet feet.
I took this in one of the rare moments when the rain stopped. Also we had a strong cold wind from behind which moved the clouds along very fast but there were always more!
After several hours often climbing had a sudden opening in the clouds and we could see the first of the villages we would pass ahead of us.
As I arrived at the village the rain started again. The first café/bar was open but there didn't seem to be anyone there. The second one was definitely open and I could get a cup of coffee but she had no food. Soon Constance, the Dutch lady also arrived but none of the other three. It turned out later that they had woken someone up in the first bar but they too had no coffee and only powder coffee.
Still raining most of the time but enough to keep my poncho on all day. 5km to the next village were the bar had plenty of food so we found what we needed. Didn't stay long, just long enough to drip dry and then out for the last 6km to the albergue in Morille.
When I got there there was no one there but the sign on the door said to get the key from Bar Isa next door. Unfortunately it was Monday and Bar Isa is closed Los Nuñes. Back to the notice. It gave a phone number to call. I tried but the cell network didn't work on either of my phones. At that moment a lady came down the road with an umbrella. I asked her if she knew the person responsible who I was frying to call. It is a very small village so of course she did and immediately called. She was told it would be open and to go in and she would come later in the evening or we could go to the other bar in the village and she would look for us there.
It is a very small albergue with just 6 beds in one very small room, but it has plenty of hot water, heating and sheets and blankets on the beds. At that moment the Mike and Ruth from Denver and the Dutch lady also arrived along with the Danish women so the 5 of us settled in and then went to the bar for a beer and snack. We asked about dinner and they said they could it ready for us at 7:30. By now it was about 6:00 so back to our albergue to prepare things for tomorrow and check on the wet clothes which were hung all over the small room to dry. We also got newspaper from the bar to stuff in our boots because that is the best way to dry them.
Dinner was good
Posted with Blogsy
I find myself admiring your perseverance more and more every day!
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