Random camping
Camino gossip
I was having a break with some pilgrims, as we were passed by an older man and a woman. I was told that the couple had met on the Camino and the man had to go through a dental surgery. The lady thought that the man shouldn't continue at all, but forget about the walk. But now the lady feels somehow responsible for the man, and follows him around. The man just plows ahead with great speed. The woman struggles to keep up.
I also heard that there are more Finnish people here. At least three of them. Been hearing rumors from the other pilgrims.
Paleolithic diversion
I realised I am quite close to the Altamira cave. I'm going to check it out. There isn't that many interesting sites on this route, but cave art sure is as interesting as a dragonstone. The cave is only a replica of course. Five kilometers, says the man at the gas station.
I found a great camping spot. A natural harbor between some cliffs. Some ruins and a small rocky bay.
I had a small breakfast in front of a store. This time the coffee was from a vending machine. Local men offered an apple pie and talked about their own Caminos. At least one of them had walked, maybe the other one too. Ah, now the sun came out! Sounded like the one had walked the Frances, not the Norte. But I didn't really figure out much of what they were saying. It's been raining on and off today. Yesterday as I left the cave museum it started to rain.
State line
I slept on a rest stop between a road and a river. The cows were ringing their bells on the small pasture into the night. I am continuing to Colombres, hoping to get a cafe con leche in a couple of hours. I think I walked 12 hours yesterday, minus the long breaks I had to take because of the rain. My rain gear is lacking.
Had a meal in Unqueira, which was a surprisingly perky little town. They had all kinds of shops. Maybe because of the town being on the border of Cantabria and Asturias? The maps they give out have only the state I am in, so I'll have to get a new one from a tourist info.
Looks like all the most important villages have got some prize. Santillana del Mar, "One of the best villages in Spain", Comillas "One of the most magical villages" and Colombres "An exemplary village 2015".
Flash storm
Sitting on the beach, drying my gear. Yesterday the whole day was rain, sunshine, rain. Mostly rain. I thought I would get a place for the night and dry the clothes. But the camping places and albergues had closed at nine already. Usually they are open until ten. So, I walked some more looking for a place. In the end I had to put the tent on a beach bar parking lot in pouring rain. I probably somehow failed at it as well, since it was leaking during the night. I am afraid of putting the electronics on. The phone has water inside the screen. The weather changes too fast. I think there is less space between the mountain and the sea than before. So maybe all the clouds that come here rain down. At least now it's sunny. Have to wait for the gear to dry a bit, then I'll walk somewhere. It seems there more camping areas here, not only the one I saw last night. I won't stay with them since they failed me yesterday...
Routines
Yesterday was a similar day as before, except that I went for the beach in the middle of the day. I may have been there longer than I realised. I am a bit burned. I camped on the side of a canyon in a shallow ruin. It was raining in the night but not into the tent this time. In the morning there were snails between the inner and outer fabric of the tent. I am now 2 kilometers past Ribadesella on a camping area. It's going to be an inventory and clean up day. I haven't yet dared to put the camera back on. We'll see if it got wet.
