Day 26 - 25k - Molinaseca

Went out for a pilgrim´s meal with a bunch of pilgrims. It was 10 Euros, 1 Euro more than we normally pay but who´s complaining? There were about 30 people in the room we were in in the Albergue last night. A couple of soft snorers only so nothing controversial to report. Don´t even bother with the ear plugs. Had breakfast at 6.45 am with coffee which means that the Albergue gets an extra star.
Had our best day on the Camino so far interms of scenery. It was a tough day but very rewarding. The big news is that Marcus from Germany gave up the fags at 9 am this morning on top of the peak Crus de Ferro. We took photos of him to mark the occasion including one with his last smoke in one hand and the Red Bull in the other. We will be encouraging him for the rest of the Camino; no pressure though.

Marcus and the last smoke.

The walk today was made for photographers and poets. ¨Mary had a little lamb¨ might be the height of the poetry you´d get out of some of the pilgrims with all the Vino Tinto that was consumed last night. Every turn on the road was a picture postcard as we walked up through the mountains which were completely covered in heather. Blessed with the weather again (touch wood). Walked through some lovely villages which are thriving now as a result of the revival of the Camino. The descent from the mountains was a bit tricky and I nearly lost my footing a few times in the shale and stones. But the poles and the boots and my elasticated flexibility saved the day. Well the boots definitely did the job. Gaby has been back in the boots for the last 3 days and is going well. Touch wood she hasn´t had an issue with her achilles tendon since the start of the Camino. We pulled into this lovely place which would clean up in the Tidy Towns Competition. The Albergue we are staying in is a little out of town and seems new. The room we are in has only 10 beds and no bunks. I need to calibrate the number of pints I can have each evening if I am on the top bunk. Not too far to fall tonight so things are looking good.  We are heading back in to the village tonight for dinner at 7 pm to meet the other punters.
I´m informed we actually walked 29.5Ks today when you allow for all the ups and downs through the mountains. 25Ks as the crow flies though so that´s the official count. Doesn´t make me feel any less stiff. There are only 216ks left to Santiago.