Day 8 - September 12
Day 8: Hontanas to Lodging!!
Our stay last night in Hontanas was our favorite so far. An idyllic, pristine medieval village situated in a valley that felt like an Eden.. Only two restaurants and the first was booked so we settled for the second that with our luck, was the better. A beautiful fresh salad - as with all salads in Spain, tuna added. Then the three of us had meatballs or fish as the entree and finished off with only bread pudding. The three of us had a few dark beers before the 7:30 reservation and caught up on the day while planning for the next. For the second straight day there was a fixed menu that included three courses water and believe it or not, local wines; either white, red or blush. Last night the three of us dared to have a second bottle and paid the price this morning. What is totally mind blowing is that the entire meal was only 42 euros for the 3 of us - beers, wine and food!!
Tina found the last three rooms at a quaint little Auberge that had been modernized. Amy was in heaven when she received a pink room that had a floral scent. My room did as well and while Amy loved it, I was choking ;-) With breakfast being served at 8 AM we decided to go back to the restaurant we had eaten dinner and grab something at 6:30 in order to get an early start before the forecasted rains come. They were serving fresh croissants right out of the oven so I indulged by eating two of the biggest and best chocolate croissants I have ever had with two Café con leches while Amy downed two regular croissants.
Temperatures will now be in the 70s but rain in the forecast for the next four days which will change the game for everyone on the Camino, I imagine there will be a lot of misery do to foot issues.
Yesterday was the lowest pilgrim count we have seen so far, we only passed 66. Many of the pilgrims we encounter are elderly at 60+, like me and teens and twenties. I would also estimate that 60% at least are women who are there to explore boundaries or clear their minds. I stop often to talk to them and have learned they come from all over the world, English is the common language and that we are all brothers and sisters on our journeys.
Christina found us another small Auberge in a tiny town called Villarentero de Campos. Three private rooms that are tiled floor, stone walls with beam and strong wooden furniture. With the weather turning cooler the lack of a/c in the rooms should resolve itself.
We have decided to scrap our “plan” and work through options each day targeting 50-60k window where Christina works on lodging. Finishing today at 2:30pm after 48km will bring welcome rest.
Finally, I thought I had seen it all until I came upon the 5th person doing the Camino with an infant. I could see her far away up the mountain trail and I finally caught her on the other side coming down pushing her stroller. As I approached I yelled “bom camino!” She looked at me and smiled speaking english, “thank you, you as well.” I looked into the stroller and a little dog jumped up and barked at me! See picture below.
All for today - cheers,
David.
