Camino 2013 - Day 22 - 15 December 2013

A day of mixed blessings. Breakfast was in the kitchen with the hospitalera and as we left she gave us all a hug, kiss on each cheek, wishes for a safe arrival in Santiago and a happy Christmas. The weather was perfect with not a cloud nor snow flake to be seen. As soon as we left Rabanal it was a 300 meter uphill trudge through Foncebadon to the Cruz de Ferro the highest point on the Camino at 1505m. At the cross I left a small stone from home with prayers and had a quiet time before descending to Manjarin where a lone hippie runs a small coffee stop and claims to be the last Knights Templar. After a few kilometers of uphill climb again we started our descend of 900m over 10km on the most awful, steep, stone covered paths that had suffered from some major wash out after heavy rains. Every step had to be watched and on at least 4 occasions I would have twisted an ankle were it not for the walking sticks. Finally we, now 6, arrived at Molinaseca albergue to find it closed. For the night we have accommodation in a hotel at €10 each, and I have a room on my own. I have now covered over 500km. Have you ever wondered what pilgrims eat? Our almost staple diet has become chocolate, nuts, fresh fruit and water or coffee when there is nothing else available. At the end of the day we do have a beer to replace lost fluid :-).