Three C's Camino Adventures: Day 27

Oct 8

Destination - Vega de Velcarce

Distance - 28km

Hours of walking - 7:30 - 3:30

Terrain - across the vineyards, country roads, highway

Weather - a wonderful day after the misty eery fog lifted

Nature -

Misadventure - Dee and Brenda miss a note from Wendy as to where to meet. Alls well that ends well, but we lost a string and a safety pin.

Boots in with a sidewalk shell

Leaving for 'Vegas' we where encompassed by a misty fog that was quite eery. Anyone that grew up watching Yorkton television is probably as traumatized as I am by the movie The Fog that they played over and over in the late 70's. I was pleased when the fog lifted, as we were blessed with beautiful views.

Thick fog is starting to lift

On the trail

Vineyard changing colours - one of my favourite photos

For the past few days, we have been seeing chestnut trees and fallen chestnuts everywhere. We had no idea that they could be eaten. When we stopped on the side of the road for a break, a man from France showed us how to eat them 'raw'. They tasted like macadamia nuts with a texture coconut like. We nibbled on a few on our break.

Pilgrim break

Don't let the fuzzy kiwi like appears fool you, they are prickly. As they fall to the ground, the cover falls off.

When we got settled in our Alburgue for the evening, we noticed that the owner we bringing home bags and bags that they had picked. We asked some questions but had a bit of a language barrier. That night, he made a roaring fire and started to roast them. He was so proud to show us, and even though it was late and dinner over, he seemed very insistent that we stay and enjoy some with them. They were very tasty (to Dee and Brenda) and tasted like warm mashed potatoes that had been sweetened. If it had not been right after dinner, we would have eaten a whole bowl!

The chestnuts go into a cylindrical holder and rotated occasionally. The smell is amazing.

Chestnuts fresh out of the fire

Part of our Camino fun, and truly a method of survival is rating washrooms as we travel on our way. We use the one to five star method, with five being the highest rating and various amenities and cleanliness are factored in. Although not in the ladies washroom, I had the opportunity to see my first 'squat' toilet which would not have even got a one star. Early in the trip, most toilets didn't have lids on them, so that always adds a star now if there is a lid. Most of the washrooms operate the lights on a motion sensor, and go off quickly. Sometimes they will not go back on. We deduct a star for that. Toilet paper, hand soap, paper towel and operational hand dryers all factor in. As we go further, we have encountered more 4-5 star washrooms, which is pleasant. Today, Wendy and I had a debate. She wanted to award a five star, but I wanted to deduct .25 as the hand soap had been severely watered down, just like when Grandma Kostal came to visit.

Also as we move along, the food is changing and we are excited to find new options on the pilgrim menu. Tonight Dee and I had amazing trout.

A great meal at a five star Alburge

We see lots of amazing and often humours signs along the way. I thought I would share some with you today. A happy one was a statue and sign that we are getting close to the end of our journey and covered lots of miles. However, after Dee and I photographed this statue, we decided we would like to head back to St. Jean and start again - being stronger and wiser. We don't want this amazing adventure to end.