Day 22 - Heading to La Cruz de Ferro

We were up early at our San Javier Alberge and out looking for breakfast. Nothing opens in the big city as early as in the villages. We pondered our next move while waiting for coffee.

We decided that due to a weather forecast that was ominous, Ada's heel blister still being an issue, and safety bulletins for the Rabanal area, that we would go directly to Foncebadon to start our hiking. Ada treated her heel on a park bench and opted to try out her hiking sandals for the day. We found a taxi at the city centre taxi stand and were "whisked" along the winding mountain roads, around the hairpin turns to Foncebadon.  Foncebadon is a town that is undergoing a reawakening with the growing popularity of the Camino.

Ada quickly switched to her hiking boots with paper napkin insert to alleviate the pressure on the blister. We hiked the two kilometres to the Cruz de Ferro. This is the cross where people leave memorial tokens of love and blessing to the great pile of stones.  Ada and I had brought ashes from Iain and my Dad plus stones that we picked up on our Toronto Camino Pilgrim walk to Cherry Beach. 

The memorial cross unfortunately seemed somewhat insignificant when viewed relative to the wonders of nature that we are experiencing daily on the Camino.

We bought cherries from some enterprising young Spaniards, who made paper cones and met us on the path with samples. These tasty morsels were only one euro and provided nourishment at the appropriate moment. 

We stopped for coffee at Manjarin, at Alberge Tomas, a Refugio with mattresses and no bathroom but donativo (by donation) refreshments. 

Ada limped on another 10 kilometres to El Acebo. Pat pushed for the new Alberge which was at the farthest end of the town.

 It proved well worth the trip. Because we had both been in upper bunks the night before, and it had the typical bunk beds, Pat opted for a private room and private bathroom! We even got sheets and towels for the first time!  

The commercial washing machine meant that we could actually CLEAN our clothes too.  There was a lovely swimming pool and lounge chairs that we are planning to return to on another trip.

We borrowed a Bic lighter from the desk clerk so that Ada could lance the massive blister on her heel. Here's to the healing of the antibiotics. 

The Pilgrims' meal was the best one we have had to date. Vegetables were plentiful and the fries were homemade.  We had fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dessert.