Unfortunately, Tuesday was a pretty wet and grim morning. So I bypassed the Naranco Churches. I fell in with a couple of guys heading out of Oviedo so on we pressed for Grado and then for San Juan de Villapañada. I was not really ready for the grade out of Grado and my camelback ran dry halfway up the hill. But make it we finally did. Domingo, the hospitalero passed us and shouted a word of encouragement to us. On our arrival, he greeted us warmly, making sure that we all had cold fresh water to drink, got us settled in, and washed our clothes for us. My friend and I had picked up some meager provisions in Grado. So we made ourselves some supper. Domingo, it turns out, makes supper! The Albergue filled to overflowing, but everyone was fed and sleeping arrangements were sorted. A couple of mattresses appeared for the latecomers.
This morning started with the hellacious climb and descent and then through Cornellana and up to Salas. I stopped in Salas for a bocadillo and an Aquarius. This humidity is wiping me out. Asturias sure ain't Texas! And then it was the amazing ascent up to Porciles. I ran dry again just as I was coming into Porciles. But, thanks be to God and Santiago, there, just when I needed it, were a patch of blackberries. They gave me enough of a lift to get to Bodenaya. Then it started to rain. It rained me into town and Alex was kind enough to step outside and waive me into his Albergue. It ended up that two others from San Juan made it here tonight. One before me and one after. Alex was very welcoming. Did our laundry. Fed us a fine meal. And promises to wake us in the morning to desayuno. We had good company at supper. A fine end to a pretty challenging physical day.
