Yesterday I met the Dutch man J. and he had a big problem with his army boots after his second day ( already 2 deroofed blisters ) …. he wants to go by bus to Astorga and then buy new shoes.
After dinner I wanted to check my smartphone in the bed…. but maybe I was a little bit to tired. As I looked again it was dark and 00:30.
Today I went from Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga about 16km. On the Camino de Invierno the distances between the albergues are much higher than here on the Camino Frances…. for coming to the first albergue I need either two long days with about 35km or 3 short ones… so I decided for the 3 short ones.
David has a donativo rest camp for pilgrims. It is very special…. you have to look for the donativo box…. and he has many different fruits and many other things. I asked him, if he has built this all…. and he said „God has built this place“ – his answer for yes. David has been here for several years…. and in some weeks he will leave…. to walk again. But without any money…. „because only then you are really free“.
Later I could see Astorga and the mountains in the background.
The „pilgrim torture tower“ is here as well…. so called because the tired pilgrims have to go many ramps up and then down just for crossing trail rails. But I knew from a camino forum that you can just go around it….
