Well, that hardly seemed worth the bother! There are two routes that run between Cea and Castro Dozón. We four had decided to take the longer route via Oseira Monastery which is apparently worth the extra kms for the views. Needless to say, I inadvertently took the shorter route without the monastery, but with equally lovely views and a very pleasant track, but only 16 kms as opposed to around 20 km.
I passed through a series of beautiful villages, woodland, scrub and meadow, past babbling brooks and amongst pretty birdsong, up hill and down dale. All the time entirely alone, without a soul in sight. It was lovely.
This little chap is a hoopoe but it is difficult to see his distinctive markings in the shadow,
But it was over in three and a half hours and I was the first to arrive at the Albergue at 11:00, which in contrast to yesterday’s experience, was being cleaned as I entered and all was fresh and bright.
About half an hour later a group of French guys arrived. These guys have been keeping time with me for quite a while. They are loud and seem to fill the space wherever they are. I don’t think it is just because they are French, groups of Spanish men have behaved the same way. I do wonder though if it is because they are men that they seem to take over the space. I find it very annoying. Maybe it is because they are all the same nationality, or because they are all the same gender. My group of two men and two women of three nationalities behave quite differently, with more respect to others.
The Albergue is very spacious with 28 places, separate bathrooms and separate showers, although the showers are the type that afford not one ounce of privacy – just a room with shower heads coming from the walls, no divisions, no curtains. After an hour or so there were more arrivals and by the time Paul arrived, all bottom bunks appeared to be ‘bagged’ – although he was a bit suspicious because he couldn’t see sufficient backpacks to account for the beds that had been taken. Whilst he was showering an Austrian couple arrived and quickly sussed the situation…the French had reserved beds for their friends. The lovely Austrian woman was having none of that and ordered the beds to be cleared for her and her husband – great stuff – bed war has been declared.
I think many people walked the short route (Paul included) – by accident or design I don’t know – but nearly three hours after my arrival people from last night’s albergue are still arriving.
Castro Dozón is a sizeable town of 4,000 inhabitants that I have yet to discover. I shall go for a wander after I have sent this post into the ether.
Distance according to Wikiloc – 16 km
Accumulated elevation uphill 407 metres
Accumulated elevation downhill 176 metres
Total distance walked 1,226.6 km, average 26.7 km per day
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
What can I say…I’m glad the Austrian couple gave those noisy French guys their marching orders, how selfish! A nice short day for you today, I think you needed it…and what beautiful scenery and wildlife. Aren’t Hoopoes stunning looking birds, quite tropical really. One day closer to your goal then?
LikeLike
Bed war….goodness me, good for the Austrian woman! I hope you have a peaceful night tonight. Photos are wonderful, as usual. But I can see from the sign yesterday that you are getting close. Brilliant. xx
LikeLike
Just loving the thought of the Austrian woman getting things sorted !!
Not long to go now Maggie, shall miss your fabulous photos and informative blogs as with each previous Camino.
Enjoy the rest of your day and the bottle of Cava previously suggested sounds a great idea…Cheers!!
xxx
LikeLike
Maggie I am so going to miss your wonderful photos and narrative once you have arrived at journey’s end ..may I say now thank you so much. I am off to walk Camino France’s in two weeks, excited and nervous as I’ve never done anything like it before but you have inspired me.
LikeLike
Thanks for your message – I really appreciate every comment that arrives. And I wish you a fabulous camino. The Frances is the one to start with in my opinion. Don’t expect it to be your last camino though!
Buen Camino!
LikeLike
Well, we can be saucy and bossy…lol (Maggie, I was born in Austria..lol). You are nearing Santiago. Oh, in case you haven’t heard, but with your pilgrims passport or I guess compostela you have now reserved seating in the Cathedral. Nice. Ultreia
LikeLike
Hi Maggie! I read about your amazing challenge in yesterday’s Sur in English, and just had to check out your blog, especially since I work for CUDECA as a shop volunteer. I am in awe of your achievement. It puts into perspective my own plan this July to cycle the Danube from Passau to Budapest! A relative of mine from Toronto is currently walking the Camino Francés and I’m flying from Malaga to Santiago on 10 June to meet him. I expect you’ll have finished your walk by then. Good luck for the final stages.
David
Vélez-Málaga
LikeLike
Thanks David. It is good to raise some money for a good cause whilst doing something I enjoy. Although in reality it is my partner David who is doing all the fundraising – he is hoping to beat our record of 900€. You will love it in Santiago – a fabulous city. And good luck with your bike ride.
LikeLike
Bed wars!! I love it
LikeLike
F.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. photos. The flowers always brighten the views. A short day leaves time for exploring. Woo hoo. 😀
LikeLike
As your fellow postees have already noted, loved hearing about the bed war but you didn’t tell us if the French fellows vacated those bottom bunks? Hope so! Great photos; seemed like a lovely, tranquil day, so good for recharging your body for the last remaining push to Santiago. I will so miss this blog. Thanks so much for all the time you have put into it. You are my inspiration!
Cathy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course they did Cathy, they collected their belongings from the reserved beds with their tails between their legs. Have you seen an Austrian woman standing her ground – absolutely no contest. I enjoyed it so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Maggie,Could you ask David to let me have his email address,I would like to donate to your charity,and was wonderring if either of you have an English bank account I can donate to.Maggie,would you do a little favour for me,I have a grandson who is 6 years old who lives in Lincolnshire,he suffers with Cerebral Palsy,his name is William Bee,I was in the Cathedral in Santiago de Copostella 3 years ago where I said a prayer for William,I believe in the power of prayer and in the Cathedral there is a certain aura,I keep a photo of William with a card depicting St.James in the Same photo frame,after I did this his condition seemed to improve,so when you arrive in Santiago,and are in the Cathedral will you remember him in your prayers.
May God give you strength for the remainder of your journey,Regards and best wishes.David
davidhigh47@yahoo.co.uk
LikeLike
Years ago on the Isles of Scilly the bushes beside the track started shaking and a stout woman who looked like Margaret Rutherford dressed entirely in tweed emerged. She saw me and exclaimed “Have you seen the Hoopoes?” I fled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Maggie, I hope you didn´t think I had deserted you? We have been in England and I didn´t have time to keep up with your journey. It´s been wonderful to catch up with your blogs and see all of your beautiful photos. You have almost finished now and I am in awe at your achievement, well done. 16 kms would just about finish me off, “hardly worth the bother” indeed!!!
LikeLike
Bed wars! Love it Maggie
LikeLike