Colinas de Arriba to Berducedo - Los Hospitales begins!

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In medieval times, there were hospitals along this section of the Camino Primitivo, offering shelter and care to pilgrims. I totally get it! 
Ascents, descents and exposure to the elements provide a potent combination. Today was tough. Thankfully the weather was overcast, cool and kind - and I am Camino conditioned after weeks of walking. There’s no way I could do this otherwise.
Misty morning - the climb begins.

More mist

More climbing . . .
Today was mostly solo. People were walking their own pace, in their heads. I was.
Interspersed with times to check in on one another . . .

Nearby was the first ‘hospital’  in case of emergency.
Let’s take a look inside. What the . .  .  there is cattle in there! A veterinarian hospital? 

An American friend Blake took the shot. Surreal - Salvador Dali take note! Then back to the clouds
Who is that?
Where am I? People can get lost up here. 

Andrea, Alba and Leonardo were walking ahead and waited for me. Andrea walked back to see I was ok. Thank you, mate!

Up the hill was another old ‘hospital’. Meow Meow from China who worked on my toe last night was waiting outside the former Emergency Department.

The climb was hard. The descent was ‘off the charts’ - as I tried to explain to everyone before we headed down the mountains towards Berducedo.

What IS Mike talking about?
 Sorry folks - language warning - no photos of the descent - simply a photo of tonight’s refuge. Nice eh!

We caught up with one another at the local restaurant for a couple of hours  and swapped stories. 

It’s great that everybody got here safely.I said goodbye to a couple of wonderful people and will walk on with others tomorrow.

Glad to be here!







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