Live from the Frances

[Nandy61]

Ok a quick post. In Astorga at the San Javier albergue. It's lovely. A tad rustic but that's mainly the old building. Had an incredeble Japanese massage just now. 45 min for 10€. Paradiso.
Spent last night in the asan Mguel Slbergue in Hospital de Orbigo. That's after walking through mazarife. I wouldn't recommend mazarife. It's a teeny town. Very friendly, yes. But to arrive there at noon......not a lot there. HdeO was lovely. The kitchen at San Miguel was more than adequate for a pasta, artichoke, courgettes and cheese feedbag! The town us three or four times the size of mazarife. FYI.
Astorga is lovely. Worth arriving here early to explore.

Hmmmmm what else? Santo Domingo muni albergue great. Bed bugs at the abbey (my daughter and myself) léon convent fine. Not great but not bad. Lovely Swedish hospitaleros and a special prayer service at 9:30 (Spanish time). The city is worth a layover. Great bars and restaurants. Next time.

No crowds as yet. Haven't had a problem anywhere. I think we are in the lull before the 25th. Sleeping sheet has been fine. In fact verY hot last night.
Gotta go: Brasil v netherlAnds omg! 2-1 now!!!!

buen Camino!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Nandy, I love your signature line- and I hope it holds true for you! Buen Camino!
Margaret

 

[Nandy61]

OMG! Margaret, I was talking about you yesterday. I was telling a fellow pilgrim about a woman ( from the forum) who walked from Le Puy. A Norwegian I had just met told me that he was doing the camino in stages, and that the distance from le Puy to StJPdP was the same as the distance from St JPdP the Santiago. I was astonished. I knew it was far, but not that car!!! Good on ya Margaret!!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Good on ya Margaret!!

Thanks Nandy! It was pretty far..... and about when I arrived at Rebekah's in Moratinos on the Meseta, it seemed like at least 300km too far, and I sort of wished I was finishing in Leon. But once I had reached Hospital de Orbigo, then struck back across the rural country there, I was 'hooked' again by the beautiful landscapes and villages, and in fact the last 300km sped by almost too quickly.
There were people from the forum who inspired me as well, who I knew had walked from Le Puy- and knowing that they had walked it, I knew it was possible.... so I just kept going!

Anyhow, you are sounding very positive....hope it all continues to go well, and remember to drink lots!

Margaret