Day 18

We left villa de mazarife at just after 8 am - the road out of town was paved, long and boring with cornfields on both sides. After 10 Km we stopped for coffee. Boots off to check the hot spots. I discovered another small blister-popped it applied polysporin & a bandaid. Feet felt fine and we made good time arriving in Hospital de Orbigo. We stopped at the first place we saw which we thought was a tourist office but it turned out to be a private hostal. A most beautiful oasis ! A young girl came out to greet us & show us the rooms. It was very cleanand well kept. We could do our laundry In a basin outside and hang it in the garden. Believe me this is preferrable to doing it in the sink in your hotel room. Two little dogs very happy to see us! Gorgeous flowers- very quiet and peaceful. We were paying 20 euros each;and 10 euros for lunch - big salad with egg and tuna, beef and chips, lots of fresh bread and dessert,all with 2 bottles of red vino! Then we had coffee and another dessert called fried milk- sounds weird but really tasty. Then we all had a two hour nap- guess it was the wine;either that or we have finally adopted the Spanish siesta. We got up & went out to see - the church - what else!but it was closed. We walked over a famous bridge - very old with 19 arches & a cobbled surface. Viewed the area where jousting takes place- an annual festival. Walking back to our abode we met two other pilgrims - jill from Wales who was 64 & an Irish girl who seemed a bit younger who was walking the camino for the third time. None of us can imagine doing it more than once! Tomorrow we rise at 6am for breakfast 3 euros for eggs bread & coffee! Protien!