DAY 26 : SPAIN : ASTORGA to RABANAL DEL CAMINO - 21.4 kms - 4.5 hours

Distance walked in France and Spain so far : 1274.2 kms (60 days)

Weather : 7o at 8 am but deteriorated into a rainy, windy (westerly) day


We were very excited to start this section of the camino. We move from the plain now into the hills of Galicia. Traditionally, pilgrims have to walk the last 100 kms of the camino to receive the recognition of the compostela, given when you present your credentiale (our stamped passport - with our French tampons and Spanish sellos) in Santiago. Many more people, therefore, complete this section.

Today we arrived in Rabanal del Camino

 

We have left the plain and have started climbing into
the hills towards the province of Galicia.
 

 

Leaving Astorga via the cathedral

 

It was a great walking path today, which was just as well
as it was wet with a strong prevailing westerly wind.

 

This quirky bar was in the small village of
El Ganso, which is a crumbling down place. It was
a Magarato (possibly originally an ancient Berber/
 Moor  people)  village, which has been semi-
abandoned.
 

 

Full of activity with walkers sheltering from
the cold wind. Delicious tortillas!





 

Arriving in Rabanal del Camino - a beautifully
presented village. It has many hostels and
albergues to cope with the thousands of
pilgrims that pass through every year.
 

Arriving in the cold we were drawn towards the only open
bar/ restaurant, which also has rooms available (with
bath!!!!!!). We didn't even try to find the albergue -
 but have spent a very pleasant afternoon in this warm
 establishment.

 

 

Sharing a table with Maugie and Claudia 

 

Before dinner in the hotel restaurant, we braved the rain and cold and attended Vespers the 12th century church of Santa Maria, built by the Knights' Templars. Benedictine monks sing the service in Gregorian chant. Simple but beautiful.

 

 

M&M

1/11/12

Our email : mm_smith@bigpond.net.au