Day 7: Gradefes to Mansilla de las Mulas.
Another unnecessary frustrating search for arrows this morning. Not sure what is meant by a 'blacktop' road but I headed to the only bridge I could find to locate the dirt road but the only dirt road I could find at the bridge led me back to behind the albergue. After asking a local man, I was directed down the road leading out of Gradefes, where 20 minutes later I found the bus stop and a very small little bridge. From this point I followed the arrows to Cifuentas. My advise on leaving Gradefes is... As you leave the albergue, turn left and continue on the road out of town, after 20 minutes you will see the bus stop with the arrows beside it. A yellow arrow outside the albergue would be very useful.
On the way into Cifuentas de Reuda there is a wooden post with an arrow on it propped up against a wall, leaving the village there is also a yellow arrow. Further on there are arrows pointing to Casasola, and then a long road walk to San Miguel de Escalada.
After leaving San Miguel monastery, I continued to the end of the town, the 'Ruta Vadiniense' sign points right up past the church where a yellow arrow points out to the cart tracks through the fields to Puente Villarnte. There is also a sign at the end of the town pointing straight ahead if you want to walk to Mansilla on the road. I took the Ruta Vadiniense to the right but after about 20 minutes there is a fork in the path with no arrows!!! I took the left hand path assuming this would lead towards Mansilla but after about 45 minutes this path came to an end. Rather than walk back to the fork and try another direction with no arrows, I scrambled down the side of a hill and joined the asphalt road into Mansilla. Again, the difference a few arrows would make.
If the Amigos association in Cistierna are interested in promoting Ruta Vadiniense they need to put up a few more arrows!!!
At Villacontilde I had a look for the arrows to follow the shortcut, but alas no arrows so I continued on the road into Mansilla.
Overall, the Ruta Vadiniense is an excellent Camino, with amazing mountains, off road walking and great accommodation and food. However, for the middle of May it is a very quiet Camino, the only time I saw other peregrinos was in the albergue in Potes, I met nobody else on the Camino, I was the only person in all the other albergues and usually the only person in the restaurants. Also, I certainly would not have attempted to walk this Camino without Rebekah and Laurie's notes, mucho Gracias to both of you.
Now I am in Mansilla and have joined up with the throngs of peregrinos on the
Camino Frances for a short walk into Leon tomorrow.