Distance to Santiago de Compostela : 626 kms
A long day's walk today in moderate conditions - cloudy and max 25o. We made a few
variations to the designated route - some suggested in the guidebook and some of our own
making to reduce the number of kilometres.
I had an early morning walk to the castle and enjoyed the view back to the town.
The historic Mayor's office in Castro Urdiales
Breakfast at a local bar, where we met some of the locals. Tortillas on the menu today.
We walked out on quiet lanes in misty rain.
We had a few kilometres along the coastal path.
We had a break at Islares where there was an option for pelegrinos to stay in a camping ground.
Lovely beach and some other hostal accommodation in some of the small centres.
Just under A8 Motorway we made the decision to continue on the N634 rather head off into the
hills to walk an extra 5kms.
After many kms on the motorway we walked into Liendro - tired with aching legs and growing
blisters.
At last a resting place in Liendro where we had lunch, dealt with blisters and recuperated.
After another 6kms on the motorway we had our first glimpse of Laredo.
Back on the official path
Another knee crunching descent.
We met an Australian family on our way into town. Parents and 14 year old twins who have been
travelling for 3 years, throughout the world. We chatted to an Irish American mum and 10 year
old, Katie, walking at a good pace. Amazing kids!
We are staying at the Albergue 'Buen Pastor'. 13euros in a shared room for 3 with bathroom.
It is run by Franciscan nuns. It is in the old city and very convenient to bars and restaurants.
We are sharing with Michelle, our Viennese friend, who persuaded me to make the phone call
- indeed a potential for a Monty Python script. It was worth the frustration as the albergue was
spotless, cheap and included an ensuite bathroom.
We wandered up into the old town (pueblo viejo) streets with a few surprises on the way.
View to the beach.
High on the hill in the old town is the Gothic church of Santa Maria of the Asuncion. Built in the
12th century. The site was originally an old monastery dedicated to Saint Martin. In 1174 King
Afonso gave the priest, Pelegrín, the charge of repopulating Laredo. He did such a good job that
king gave jurisdiction to the small town and 'bestowed' all the churches in Laredo to Don
Pelegrín for the rest of his life. I'm not sure what his methods were but he obviously had an
interesting ministry...and today the town is bursting to the seams!
Despite blistered feet and aching bodies we met for a celebratory dinner after another
strenuous day. Bob had even had a swim.
M&M
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