Not for this pilgrim

Just kidding. This frail bridge would have been a right turn off the Primitivo. But the stream shows the spring runoff in this area. I've picked up a bit of height -- 1600 feet in the first three miles today -- so spring is a bit behind Oviedo (and about two weeks behind Washington). The Primitivo spent most of today going along the shoulder of a higher ridge line. So there were lots of rivulets cascading down and across the trail. Luckily, all of them could be crossed, with the help of a few stones placed by earlier pilgrims. It was exceedingly pleasant to have the bubbling, burbling sound of all these rivulets, and of the larger steams alongside the Primitivo, for much of the day.

There goes the Camino

Hey! That's my Camino where you're building your autovia flyover. And pushing me onto a rocky path down to the river that only a goat with a good walking stick could descend in comfort. But other than that, another perfect day. Fifteen miles of paths and lanes, with a goodly smattering of pilgrims. Mostly Spanish, but all flavors of Western and Eastern Europeans -- no Americans.

Woodland Walking

The Primitivo is surprisingly well maintained, except when it isn't. This well-built wooden bridge avoided a stone-to-stone hopping across a small stream. But several hundred yards later I was left on my own to traverse the slick mud sides of a mini-ravine. It was only two or three feet deep, so I wasn't threatened with anything worse than a muddy bottom. But that wasn't appealing. Luckily, I had my Black Diamond walking stick to give me the stability of a third point of contact. Other than that small challenge, my walk was flawless. A bright sunny day. Forest paths alternating with small lanes. It was a short day, so I got to my hotel in time for the late Spanish lunch (say, between two and four). A nice hotel in a hamlet with nothing else. But even so I was surprised to be told the dining room was by reservation only. The bartender explained it was "el día de la madre." In Spain that apparently means mom gets to go out to a restaurant, even if it's the only time all year that happens, other than christenings and weddings. So I had the set menu in the bar. Very good.