Total distance 537.3 km

Daily average 28.3
Today’s accumulated uphill elevation 286 m
Today’s accumulated downhill elevation 279 m

First, thank you for the responses regarding the nostril-licking trick.  It seems this is a regular occurrence amongst my bovine friends.

Another bright and comfortable walking day dawned as I left my haven of privacy.

As I was leaving Gijon this morning I passed a new pilgrim who I soon learned was Diana, a Romanian living long-term in Germany. We fell into step and she told me this was the first day of her first Camino. Soon after we were joined by Javier a government veterinary from Majorca walking the first day of the third and final stage of his Camino del Norte. Despite there being much industry to walk through today, both out of Gijon and into Aviles, It was a delightful morning’s walk, full of exchanges and shared experiences.

Diane and Javier resisting the temptation to rest their legs on strategically placed chairs

I was sorry to depart from these guys at Aviles where they both decided to stop for the night, whilst I walked on, now joined by Peter from Slovakia, to Salinas.

I was so busy talking that I didn’t take many photos, although I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested in the factories that I passed or in the lorries that whizzed past me. There was however a very pleasant walk along quiet country roads in between the two cities.

Typical vegetable garden tucked into a tiny plot

There is not much more to be said about today. Salinas in a seaside town at high tide when I arrived with only a few pebbles to be seen between the water and the sea wall. I went shopping for my supper and have enjoyed what might be my favourite meal so far on this Camino. A bacon buttie (with multigrain roll AND butter), a box of cherry tomatoes, a sweet pastry, some nectarines and a bottle of cava. All for around six euros. Priceless!

I am staying in Las Dunas Hostal at Salinas, very much a surfers’ place, although there are none in occupation today. Just Peter and myself and Austrian Phillip, who I have not previously met. The accommodation is rather overpriced I think – albergue style bunks, but with an abundance of lounging space and very adequate kitchen, but 20 euros. Two expensive nights in a row!

The great news is that today, for the first time on this Camino, my feet have been totally free of any discomfort. I felt very strong today and I am hoping that this is my turning point. On reflection it has been at about the two and a half week point on my previous caminos that my feet adjusted to the workload demanded of them and started to comply with my demands.

Onward and westward…