Hospital de Órbigo, Castile and León, Spain and Canary IslandsDistance by the guide book - 22km
Total distance for the day - 26km
Flights climbed - 2
It was great this morning just to walk out of our hotel and be right on the Camino again.
It may have been a blessing in disguise to have booked a hotel in the wrong place!
Today we set another record. 19 kms walked without coffee! Not by choice! We’d planned to stop in Villar de Mazarife after about 10kms but today is Saturday and we’d forgotten that a lot of places don’t open on Saturdays. We sat forlornly on a park bench for about 10 minutes. I ate an apple but Sheila couldn’t be enticed to eat anything. She needs her morning coffee! Oh well, when there’s no other option you just keep walking. What made this walk particularly painful was that it was pretty boring. I guess in 800 kms you have to have some boring bits but we are ready for a little more excitement now! We’ve been feeling sorry for the local farmers. The soil is just littered with rocks. I don’t know how they get anything to grow but they do. We think it was corn we could see growing in the fields that were planted.
Finally we reached Villavante. There was going to be a tantrum if we didn’t find something there, so thank goodness one of the Albergues was open and serving food.
Revived and refreshed we walked on the final four kilometres to Hospital de Orbigo. There’s some dispute among us as to how far we walked today. My Apple Watch says we have a total of 25.2kms for the day and Sheila’s app says 28.7kms. Whichever we choose to believe we had a 6 hour walk today.
Hospital de Orbigo is a lovely town. The stone bridge into the town is spectacular. It’s 200 metres long and has 20 arches. It was built in the 13th century. Once the river was much wider but these days a dam holds back the water and there is a lot of dry land under the bridge. The locals hold a jousting festival there in a couple of weeks to honour a local legend, a knight who supposedly won over 200 jousts on the bridge. Some of the locals were painting shields in preparation as we came into town.
We walked into the village and stopped for a drink at one of the bars. They had a leg of cured meat on the counter were not sure what variety. We think beef or possibly goat. While we were sitting there the barkeep started slices pieces off and gave us a plate.
It was delicious. We took his photo while he was cutting off the meat. Sheila started a family drama by texting her sister a photo and a message saying , ‘Just cut off the leg’. Unfortunately the photo didn’t go through and Sheila’s poor sister thought she’d sliced her leg open. Frantic messages ensued, and much hilarity later, the mistake was explained when the photo turned up!
We’re hoping for a more interesting walk tomorrow. The long kilometres are done. Most now are at or below 20 with the longest being 24. Some hills loom on the horizon but we’re definitely heading towards the home stretch now.
Marl
2023-05-20
It does look very dry and brown here. Glad it wasn’t Sheila who ‘cut the leg off’! Keep going, you’ve got the end in your sights now. Xx
Joc
2023-05-20
Not far to go now, comparatively speaking of course. I hope the scenery picks up for your birthday. Have a happy day’
Lisa K
2023-05-20
Good one Sheila! I can imagine the drama of everyone thinking you’d cut your leg down to the bone. 😂 Hope the scenery is a little less boring for you tomorrow. Photos still make it look nice though Leanne (even if it does look a little dry)
Karry
2023-05-20
It might have been a bit boring today but I love all the photos.
Claire
2023-05-20
Nineteen kms without coffee! Aaaarrrrgggghhh! ☕️ I hope you’ll get your fill of coffee ( plus other delicious things ) on that significant birthday thats only a few days away now The ‘ cut off the leg ‘ thing was hilarious Sheila- you’re a naughty girl, it’s true.
Lisa K
2023-05-20
Happy Australian Birthday Leanne 🎉🎉 Hope you get cake somewhere on your travels tomorrow.
Chris
2023-05-20
Great work girls. Happy Birthday for tomorrow Lan. I hope you treat yourself with a massage or something nice. Xx
Maxine
2023-05-20
Happy Birthday Leanne! Eat! Drink! Celebrate!
Helen
2023-05-20
Wishing you a very happy birthday Leanne. Spoil yourself in every possible way when you get the chance. 🎂🥂🍹
Kathryn
2023-05-21
What a bridge! But, oh those roses. Fabulous. Birthday wishes to both of you.
Adelkath
2023-05-21
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Leanne! 🥂🥳🥰. What a way to celebrate it. I hope you do have some special treats today and the walk is a bit more interesting. Sounds like you've done the hard part and can take it easy a bit more now.
KR
2023-05-21
Love the photo of the shoes hanging, seen better days of course. Have you worn the same shoes each day? What about socks, I’ve heard socks with toes are good for long walks. Have a wonderful birthday, trust you will find something to treat yourself with. Great photos, boring scenery or not. 🎉🎉🎉
Beth
2023-05-21
Loved the tale of Sheila's 'cut off leg' story, Leanne. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays. x
Karen
2023-05-21
19 klm without coffee. I would spit the dummy.Still, there have to be a few bumps in what is really a grand road. stay safe and happy.🦋
Helen D
2023-05-21
Like Karry, the day doesn't look at all boring! Gorgeous roses! Hope you don't have a long walk tomorrow / today, before you find coffee. Have a wonderful birthday!
Karen K
2023-05-21
Those roses are gorgeous! I hope you find the most delicious tapas on the Camino for your birthday Leanne ( and a glass of something cold to go with it!). Happy birthday 🎂.
Carole
2023-05-21
Happy Birthday Leanne, it’ll certainly be one you remember. Love the photo of you two in front of the roses.
Liz Davis
2023-05-21
Happy birthday, Leanne. It was probably yesterday now for you. Every day on the Camino is a good day, though. Glad to hear that the long walking days are behind you now.
Lorraine Collins
2023-05-21
Happy birthday Leanne and in anticipation of Sheila's birthday coming up soon Best wishes to your both. You are both doing a great job of the walk. Keep it up and keep the smiles coming. Cheers
Suzanne
2023-05-21
Happy Birthday, not sure which day is your Birthday, but do have a good walking day. Could you not take a coffee with you when you leave your accommodation in the morning? The depth of colour in the roses are beautiful.
Nellie
2023-05-22
Happy Birthday Leanne and Happy Birthday to Shelia on her big day.push on you are getting there.pictures are beautiful.
Tomasina
2023-05-27
Happy Birthday to you both, what a wonderful experience for you both. I love those roses, Ciao