free bar!
Today has been a good day (and it's only lunchtime). Just 17km to
Astorga and my feet are much better.
I have worn that ultimate peregrino fashion statement of sandals and
thick socks for the last two days. Much easier on the feet! The
boots may not reappear unless it rains.
There is a shorter and more direct route from Hospital to Astorga,
16km, along the main road. Instead I chose the slightly longer route
that goes over the hills. Having maps of the route in my guidebook
really helps, we didn't have this resource last year and sorely missed
it.
The hills were gentle and very pretty. They were alive with the
steady chuffing of old diesel tractors as all the fields need
preparation for the next planting.
Went thru a couple of pretty villages (we must be off the meseta!).
Villar de Orbigo and Santibanez de Valdeiglesia were hives of
agrarian activity, in stark contrast to many we have traversed.
One of the villages has a story around it's bridge. A knight vowed to
defend the bridge against all comers. Knights from all over Europe
came to challenge him. He successfully defended the bridge until he
had shattered 300 lances, then he retired undefeated to give thanks
for his success.
I'm sure this story has inspired many imitations in fiction And film.
Cheers
John
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