On our last legs

Day 8: Caldas Del Reis to Padron.  11 Miles

With just a short journey to make today, we had s lie in until 7 and were on the road just after 7:30.

A letter box at the main Post Office at Caldas Del Reis

With just two pitstops, we were at the Association albergue in Padron by 12:45.  It opened at 1 pm, so we didn’t have long to wait in the hot midday sun.

A Columbarium we came across close to Caldas Del Reis

There are private albergues where you can book your bed in advance, but parochial, church run, and Xunta, local authority run, operate on a ‘first come first served’ basis.  In some there is a notice outlining priorities:

1st  Disabled people

2nd  Walkers

3rd  People on horseback

4th  Cyclists

That would be a typical list.

When you arrive before opening time, you put your backpack beside the door and find shelter from the sun, or maybe sit in a nearby café/bar.  Later arrivals will ‘queue their bags behind yours.

Everybody makes sure to be there st opening time, not to miss out.

However, it takes time to check in a person.  The Passport details are taken, you may be asked your age and profession, a ticket is issued and paper bed and pillow coverings are issued. Sometimes particular beds are allocated, and a volunteer has to go with you to make sure you get the correct bed.  Every person takes two or three minutes.

The problem arises when you are way down the queue, in sweltering heat. Only 3 or 4 Peregrinos can usually get into the desk at the front door.

Anyway, the queue was short yesterday and we got in fairly quick. 

After a rest we had our shower, did  our washing and hung it out.  Then we went downtown to find food.  After wandering around for a while, we discovered the cafés and restaurants wouldn’t be serving food until 7 pm and it was still only 5:15.

On our way back to the albergue we found a little bar and decided to have a beer there.  Not young Owen, though, he did with water.

One beer led to another and we filled in the gap between present time and opening time.  By the time we had our meal and got back to the albergue, it was close to 10, so I had no time to do the blog.  And that’s why it’s only posted now.  Apologies.