Hi,
thanks for the advice, everyone. Very helpful.
I've had a small change of plan now but it looks like:
Day 1 (24th August): fly into Oviedo and bus to Leon with my eyes in my book so as not to spoil any of the surprise
I may take the option of the bus out of Leon that afternoon to save a few miles
Day 2 (25th): Leon to La Robla
Day 3 (26th): La Robla to Poladura
Day 4 (27th): Poladura to Campomanes
Day 5 (28th): a diversion west from Campomanes to climb the Ubina massif, probably bivvying on or around Pena Ubina or in the mountain refuge near Tuiza
Day 6 (29th): finish the circuit of the massif and return to Campomanes, it adds another 50-60km on to the route but I think it may be worth it
Day 7 (30th): Campomanes to Mieres or maybe further on depending on how my legs are going. I'm hoping to knock the next day's walk to Oviedo down to 10km and might end up bivvying somewhere on the trail
Day 8 (31st): wherever I end up on the night before on to Oviedo and hopefully Naranco before (sadly) flying out that night
I had an extra day for contingencies but family commitments meant that I've had to lose that day so it's quite a committing walk now. Bussing that 7km out of Leon, much as I hate to skip a part of the route, is looking like an option as every mile is starting to matter. I really don't have much leeway but nothing like a bit of excitement
The one place that I'm worried about eating time is the Ubina massif as I need to walk in and out. If I'm delayed there's no public transport that I can see.
I really cannot wait for it. Only a few weeks to go!
Cheers,
Stuart