JULY 2016 : SPAIN : CAMINO PRIMITIVO : DAY 7 : Grandas de Salime - A Fontsagrada - 25.7 kms - 8 hours

Distance walked : 127.1kms

A very challenging day with steep ascents and descents. I did make it more difficult for myself, missing a major section, and adding 5 kms before I realised my mistake. I walked by myself in cool weather.

   Leaving Grandas de Salime.

    The path led on to country lanes.

   Glorious views to small isolated communities.

    Walking through small hamlets.

       

           After my mistake, I finally located the correct path through fields.

      

         A friendly donkey.

       

           Safe, shaded paths.

     

        The beautiful albergue in the small town of Castro.

                                         

                                              Castro

         

Despite its size, Castro has a modern museum to display archaeological findings of a significant Roman settlement.

       

          Stone houses with slate roofs, more prevalent.

                                             

                                                   Considerable section of walking on the highway.

       

            Otherwise the paths bordered the main road.

      

         Uphill to a large wind farm - the windmills hidden in the fog.

                                       

                                                  The border of the Asturias and Gallicia.

         

              All downhill....

        

        

            to El Acebo and a busy bar. Great stop for a coffee...

       

           Still 10 kms to go.

       

         In the distance A Fonsagrada situated on a ridge.

       

           Mark waiting for me as I climbed up the last hill.

       

          Very pleased to reach my destination in tact.

        

We are staying at Pension Casa Manolo. 35 euro a double room. Best of all they serve all meals and have wifi. An unremarkable service town...looks a bit like it was designed during the Fascist era.

All we need though after such an exhausting day.

M&M

JULY 2016 : SPAIN : CAMINO PRIMITIVO : DAY 6 : Berducedo - Grandas de Salime - 20 kms - 5 hours

Distance walked : 121.4 kms

Lots of steep ascents and descents today on paths and on the highway. 22o. Mist and sunshine.

View of Berducedo in early morning.

Breakfast included. Our hostess could have been Basil Fawlty's Spanish cousin! Although, she was willing to organise at taxi for Mark at 9, which he shared with an Italian walker, who has injured his shoulder. I am appreciating Mark transporting the bulk of my pack as well.

       

Today our walk corresponded with the GR route. We appreciated the signposts.

                                           

 We immediately began on a path with a gradual ascent. Ida and I walked part of the way together.

       

             We walked through the village of San Mesa.

       

            Sections on the road.

        

             Slate-roofed chapel marked a downward path at Buspol.

       

           Steep descent down a mountainside through a pine forest.

       

           Colour of the rocks blended with the wildflowers.

      

           First view of the huge dammed Rio Navia.

        

         Steep incline.

     

         The dam wall at Embalse de Salime.

       

           We crossed the dam wall and headed up to the Hotel las Grandas for a coffee.

       

            View from the hotel.

         

              Then the route was up the highway.

        

        

              Still higher.

          

               Shaded path

       

  Grandas de Salime owes its success to gold mining. The main feature of the town is the Collegiata de El Salvador, 12th century, with a huge porch surrounding it.

         

               The excellent Ethnographic Museum.

      

      

 Demonstrations of age-old crafts. Many of the milling, steel tempering, wood turning machines were still in working order. Very enthusiastic staff showcasing their social history.

  

        

             We are staying at Hotel La Barra. 50 euro a double room with breakfast.

                                       

                                            And a bath..

        

            View from our window.

       

            Lunch at a local bar, which specialises in pulpo (octopus).

       

       

 

           Locals out for lunch.

                                           

                                                We joined them.

      

After a fascinating time at the museum dinner at a local cafe. Not much choice in the town but we were very satisfied with our selection.

M&M