Camino Pilgrim

Today went really smoothly. I had issues yesterday because of not eating enough carbs while hiking. It’s Sunday, so chefs were not really working, but the bars did have some cupcakes and other sweets that I kept consuming at every bigger stop.

Asturias keeps surprising with very good alternative walking options. So much of pleasant natural terrain to offer. I walked on grass next to the ocean, then forests and finally some beaches. It does not get better than that.

I was hoping to get some trail snacks supply from the grocery store in Colunga before I finished for the day, but then I once again realised its Sunday. All food stores are closed. I will find some tomorrow then.

The sun has been torturing me a little. I have to wear a long sleeved hiking shirt and buff around my neck to make sure there are no uncovered areas to get sunburned. My hands have gotten way too much sun from holding hiking sticks.

The sunny weather is great though. Without it, these nice long alternative routes I keep taking would be a mudfest.

The walk from Colunga to Priesca was less pleasant. It was all asphalt for a bit over 8 kilometers. It did not feel good for an afternoon walk. The ground starts to get hot. Feet in shoes get tired so much faster. Thankfully, there was a very tiny village halfway to my destination there with an old church. These local churches often have sitting areas in the shade with nice cool chunks of stone to sit on and stone floors to relax your tired feet on.

In Priesca I am staying at a former parish priests’ house. It turned into an albergue years ago for pilgrims that needed a place to stay in between bigger destinations. There are no bars or cafes around, but the albergue also works as a grocery store, so you can make your own dinner super cheaply. Also, it’s a great location to wash hiking clothes and be sure that they are all dry by the evening.

It’s the little places on the Camino that are the most relaxing if you stay there for just one night. I could not imagine staying for long in a village of just 6 houses.

Tomorrow I am getting off the normal Norte route and switching towards Oviedo for a little while. This way I can go around a big industrial city called Gijón. It will add at least 20 extra kilometers to my walk before reaching Santiago, but I choose to enjoy my journey. I have heard that many pilgrims take the bus through Gijón to escape it.