Southbound - CDN to Oviedo

Today was our longest hike of the trip, some 17 miles. After our rest day, our legs felt strong! After years of neglect, we are finally starting to get into shape!

This of course was morning legs talking. Afternoon legs had a much different opinion on the matter.

Beautiful Predawn Sky

Donkeys of the Morning

It was hot today. We were baking in the sun, and if it wasn’t for the shaded country lanes, we’d probably be scorched. I couldn’t imagine hiking this in the heat of the summer.

This hot day ended as they all do with an ice cold caña.

We took a night at the albergue in Pola de Siero. We were the only people staying there. It was a bit like living in a castle by yourself. It was cold. The whole place echoed as you walked to the loo. It was great having a nice quiet albergue.

Shadow hikers.

“Triplets!” ~ Molly Wolf for the win in the caption this contest…

Horse mouth. It kinda smirks like my cousin Jay.

This girl… At first, she acted like a good watch dog: Barking from a distance, acting tough. But I whistled, and motioned to her, and she came half way. I did it again, and she came over for a good scratch, then belly rubs, then in your lap, I LOVE YOU, PET ME! She got a piece of cheese… I half expected her to join us, but she calmly walked us by her house and stayed home. Great dog!

Medeval bridge. The engineer in me is very intrigued by these old bridges. I’d have loved to see one constructed, and help build one.

This day ended in Oviedo, and Napoli style pizza. This pizza was absolutely delicious and will be on my mind for some time to come. My favorite pizza is the “diavola.”

Turns out Oviedo is a pizza town, and there are many options. I’d love to do a self guided and inspired pizza tour here.

This marks the end of the Camino del Norte for us. We are switching trails, and headed southwest on the Camino de Santiago Primitivo Trail.

The norte was good to us and we got in shape. Now we want some mountains, and more country paths. We begin tomorrow.