Day: 18
Date: Tuesday, 6 June 2023.
From: Pajares To: Pola de Lena
Distance (Planned): 25.2km Actual (Garmin): 24.9km Progress: 491/801km
Start Walking: 0611 End: 157pm Time: 6h44m
Ascent: 551m Descent: 1,158m
Terrain: Yet more serious downs, then ups.
Weather: Too darn hot – 29°C when I finished walking today.
Stayed At: Albergue Peregrino Pola de Lena – €8.
General Comments:
- The human body is an amazing machine. Not my body specifically, but as a general statement. I am continually surprised at what you can throw at it, what you expect of it, and yet it delivers. Or so far, anyway.
- I was expecting to be stiff and sore this morning after yesterday’s exertions, but other than my legs being a bit doughy, everything seemed to be working as it should.
- And they needed to be ready to go as the first order of the day was to head 1.5km straight downhill to the very bottom of the valley. I purposefully left a little later this morning so there was more light to see where the trip hazards were.
- I zigged. I zagged. I stepped sideways. Anything to reduce the pressure on my knees. What a relief it is when you hit level ground and can get into your normal stride.
- Naturally, that didn’t last long as where there is a down, there is always an up. Today’s ascent/descent stats are almost comparable to yesterday’s and the descent was actually more. I was not expecting that.
- Today was just as beautiful as yesterday and the path hugged the edge of the mountains in between ups and downs, wending its way through shady forests and dark lanes. That shade was really welcome as the sun got higher.
- These last couple of days have revealed the most astounding array of infrastructure. Massive power lines and towers clamber over the highest mountain tops, trains disappear into dark tunnels into the side of them and even in the most remote and inaccessible places I have walked, there is often signs of an underground gas line. Not saying that these things are attractive, just giving engineering kudos where it is due.
Top Tips:
- If you have bad knees, do not contemplate this Camino. It would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Buen Camino.
Life...one big adventure 
Look at you just 9kms shy of the 500km mark. 💪🏽 I don’t want this to end loving hearing about your day at the end of mine. 😁
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Lordy, when you put it like that, it does sound like a big number. Don’t worry, I will continue to bore everyone silly a bit longer when I set out on the Primitivo at the end of the week.😁
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Oh won’t be bored! I’m looking at my next Norte section for the end of the month. I’m up to Santander. Wondering if I’ll go to Avilés to keep options open or to just go to Oviedo to come in and do the primitivo on the next go.
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So many Caminos, so little time! One of the Spanish guys here tonight is planning to walk the Primitivo for the 4th time, he loves it so much.
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Hooray for shade on a hot day! You’re getting a proper work out on this Camino – I’m getting weak in the knees just reading your post 🙃. Wow, you’ve come so far Mel … Buen Camino!
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With these sorts of adventures, at the start it seems like the time is stretching on forever and then it is over in a blink! I guess that means I must be having fun!😆
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I am in awe of the distance you are walking. I’m just very glad that I can accompany you from my chair!
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And I am very glad of your company. Many thanks. X
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I think you’re a madwoman but the scenery is very lovely 🤗💗
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You may not be far wrong on both counts! 😊👣
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My goodness Mel that looks hard work…but beautiful too. I agree both being in awe & that you are a mad woman 😘🤗🥰
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Maybe the beauty makes it easier? Nah, it’s just hard yakka!
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Great job 👍
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Ta
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You are running an amazing machine, Mel. Starting it up each day, pushing it to it’s seeming limit and then doing it all again the next day. I’m in awe. 👏👏👏
(As long as it’s safe to do so (eg not muddy or slippery) I do an odd bent knee jog down hills. It seems to save my knees from a lot of pressure. I wouldn’t dream of doing it with a pack on if I didn’t have poles, though.)
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I think the machine would like a little lie down at the moment. 😆
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😂
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A mad woman and my sort of person 😉 Yes, I worked out that this Camino is not for me, I enjoy walking just not steep declines. I too, am enjoying your daily reports and definitely not boring at all, Mel. Buen Camino
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. I really appreciate your support.
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That scenery just keeps on giving. I love it!
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And those bloody mountain paths keep on giving too! Right to the absolute end, even today!
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Fountain of youth, Mel. Fountain of youth. 🙂
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I love your optimism! 😁
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It’s what I tell myself to motivate me through my workouts.
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If we don’t move it, we lose it!💪💪💪
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Motion is lotion!
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Good one!
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My knees are happy it’s not me doing this Camino at the pace you’re going. Your posts are great from a ‘camping chair’ reader’s perspective.
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Even my knees were not happy a couple of days on this path. Definitely not for the faint-hearted or wobbly-kneed! 😉
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