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Published: August 11th 2012
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After making a hot cup of coffee we started walking at about 7.30....We have about 4km and we will be away from the flat country and back to hills and trees and a change in the country side...am looking forward to that...
One of the towns we passed through had a whole heap of bird nests in a group of trees.....I have never seen so many nests grouped together.....we found later down the track that they were like a crow and were protected......
we walked uneventfull and arrived at our next town at about 3pm.....we had been handed a card by a person that had ridden out along the track on a push bike advertising their albergue's.....we are getting more of that as we get closer to bigger towns.....sometimes cards are left on the posts that have arrows on them......I guess they have to compete particulary if their albergue isn't on the road following the arrow
We arrived at Hospital de Orbigo at about 3pm.....Puente de Orbigo one of the longest and best preserved medieval bridges in Spain dating from the 13th century....It takes us across the Rio Orbigo via the passage of Honour...so called because of the
famous jousting tournament that took place in the Holy year 1434.
A noble knight from Leon, Don Suero de Quinones, scorned by a beautiful lady, threw down the gauntlet to any knight who dared cross as he undertook to defend the bridge (and presumable his honour) against all comers. Knights from all over Europe took up the challenge. Don Suero successfully defended the bridge for a month untill the required 300 lances had been broken. Together with his trusted comrades he them proceeded to Santiago to offer thanks for his freedom from the bond of love and for his honour to be restored How things have changed
We couldn't find the albergue from the card that was given to us ,so we stayed in one that was on the way. It was a very interesting place with a lot of character. The owner had a aisel in the corner with paint for any one who felt the urge to. The walls were filled with works of past pilgrim.... There was a slow combustion stove as we walked in. A lovely feeling. We were sleeping with about 16 people....not to bad....
We showered sorted out our beds
and went to a pub/resturant/rooms to stay.....It was overlooking the famous bridge so we settled down to have a couple of reds before finding some where to eat. Tony from Adelaide came down from upstairs. He came over for a chat and said they were staying there and Clare wasn't feeling the best so were going to forward on her backpack for a few days. We spent our time taking photo's of the bridge through our wine glasses....must be bored again....something we seem to do....Jacqui still thinks her pictures are better....I just let her think that...I know better.....
Went and found a bar around the corner called "Las Vegas" and had the pilgrim menu...quite nice....went home and did a quick blog on the computer and in bed by 10pm.
Saw Ange and James a couple from Texas we had met earlier when we stopped for lunch....they were staying in the same albergue but had paid a bit extra and took the room with two beds in it next to our room....All was going well untill the German guy sleeping opposite Jacqui went to sleep.....OMG have never heard anyone snore so loud and for so long.....and all night.....Very interesting
the next morning everyone was just looking at everyone else raising eyebrows looking very tired....there was only three people looking refreshed.....One german guy and two texans.....a pilgrim does not complain.....made a mental note to myself.....avoid albergues with this man in it
We went down and had breakfast and left by 8am
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Cheryl Howard
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I can see why you want to go back, such beautiful country side, great photographs.