April 6, 2018

Day 1 on The Camino

Idyllic, bucolic, enchanting! Our first day of walking renewed all of my fondest memories of last year‘s journey and supported my love of walking. Granted I am in Spain and seeing places I have never been to before, yet, I truly can find a similar thrill almost anywhere I go! I was so filled with joy that I had a smile on my face the entire time! Well, to be honest, probably not during the many hill climbs when I was either breathing in through my nose, out through my mouth or huffing and puffing… But my thoughts were smiling!!!

We walked out of Oviedo at 6:55 a.m. while it was still dark, yet the city lights illuminated our way until the sun came up after a glorious display of pink against the mountains and hillsides. I did not have to switch on my headlamp (though I was ready if need be). We made our way through (literally) hill and dale and beautiful rolling valleys of ardent green fields. We walked through forests of ferns and gurgling brooks that reminded me of back home in the northwest. And oh, there were the cows!!! And the smell of cows!!! The newbies turned up, uh, their noses – but I basked in the aroma that reminded me of my Camino through Galicia!!

We saw many more cows, as well as sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, chickens, geese, dogs, cats and lizards! It was almost fairytale like enjoying the vistas of villages and hamlets. I wanted to burst into song – and twirl around!! But I didn’t, because I knew I would fall. I “almost” fall so often with my backpack on at the slimmest twist of my body…

The weather was projected to be raining, though it was glorious, sunny and quite toasty by afternoon. We walked four hours through the towns of Oviedo, The Capilla del Carmen, Santa Maria del Loriana, La Bolguina, Fabarin, Gallegos and then the town we lunched in, Premõno. We took an hour break and then set out again for another two hours through Paladin and Peñaflor until we reached our albergue in Grado, Albergue Villa de Grado. Our accommodations were quite spacious and modern and all in all it was a great first day! Only one of our group developed blisters (not me!) and unfortunately, one has quite a bit of pain in their knee. We walked 15.6 miles in all!!

It was raining by the time we went for our wonderful “comida del dia” and it looks like it will be raining all day tomorrow. At least we had a nice wonderful day one to cherish!!