The dinner at the albergue could not have come sooner. I had gone to the shop across the from where I was writing last night and got some snacks for the next day because I knew it was 10km to the first and only town and I wanted to make sure I had something. While waiting the last five minutes before dinner at 8pm I dived into the Tex Mex Dorritos. I was insanely hungry.
Dinner was at a long table and done family style except for the main rice plate and chicken leg. It was tasty enough but I was still pretty hungry. The salad was good and there was nice bread, wine and bottled water. I had seconds for everything and ate all the bread I could get my hands on.
There was some interesting discussion with Mike, a British guy, whose name I didn't catch, and his son. Afterward Mike played some songs on the guitar for me as everyone else left. He was pretty good. The lighters came out on the power ballad.
I was in bed at 10 and asleep at 10:30. I only brought a sleeping bag liner and so far I have usually been hot with just that. Last night I started wearing my pants but woke up too hot and kicked them off. Early in the morning I felt a slight chill and grabbed my towel and threw it over my legs. That was all I needed. The albergues tend to be hot at night and I usally have more of a heat problem.
Today I was starting with an experiment. I would give sandals and poles a try. What I find is I can walk as fast as the kids but when I do I push off more and get more friction in my shoe. I have a few toe blisters from walking faster. I wanted to try wearing sandals and using the trekking poles to do some of the pushing. This pretty much worked. The sandals don't have as much cushion and it's a little harder up through the leg. It's good for change and I might start doing and hour now and then.
I was out the door about 7:30 which sounds late but it is still dark for another 30 minutes here. I needed my bike light for a few minutes but as Thomas from Stuttgart passed me it wass light enough to see and then I was alone for quite a while.
About half way to Viana there was a trailside stand and I had a coffee. Pod cafe con leche, but better than nothing. Marie joined me and Jose flew by.
On the way into Viana I changed my shoes and realized my glasses case had fallen out of my side pocket. I can manage without but sometimes it's nice to have the world a little clearer. I have now lost 3 set of glasses in about 3 weeks.
In Viana, I stopped at a bar and had cafe con leche and tortilla (3.5€). It was very good. I sat with Mike, who had passed me earlier, and Mike and Christina. Renae chatted in passing for a minute as she had never met, only heard of, the famous Mike from Austrialia. Viana was a pretty little town.
Coming into town I had switched back to my trail runners and they felt quite good going on. I continued this was with the poles stowed walking with Mike. After a few km I could tell my feet wanted me to slow down and Mike carried on. He is wearing a GoPro and timelapse recording his entire walk.
By the time I got to Logrono my feet were pretty tired. I don't think they are looking forward to the long day tomorrow. Mike was just over the bridge into town and we went for a proper meal. There was some hunting protest going on and while eating we were mobbed by a hen party. We were not sure what was going on but the bride to be had interesting sharpie drawins on her face and was in a lobster costume. The lunch was 30€ each for 3 apps and 2 mains. Mine was good but Mike's could have used a little longer on the grill. Afterward we headed off to our respective hotels. He is staying 2 nights here so we will be unlikely to encounter each other after this. Same situation with Mike and Christina. After today, some of the pilgrims will rotate out and I assume some new ones will join.
My hotel was right on the Camino but at the far edge of Logrono. After 3pm on the way to the hotel I came across the Aussie brothers taking a break. They were going to do another 10km today. I do get 2km free tomorrow which might be nice, but getting back to town will require a bus and probably a taxi back to the hotel. As I finish here I am wondering if I have the energy to go back to town to try to find the pilgrim gang. Jose said 7:30 and it's that now.
Well, my laundry is done and some of it dry already and I am showered up. The feet are feeling pretty good, so it's all good.
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