Toughest day, yet, covering 19 km.(12 mi.) and climbing the entire way for 3349 ft.—only one day will have a harder climb. The climb at times was gentle, but many times quite steep. At about a third of the way, I met another pilgrim in his late 40s from northern Germany and we had a great time walking together. He‘s also headed to Rome—his first pilgrimage. He told me that I was his motivation to keep up the pace—obviously made me feel good.
The trail led mostly over narrow, paved country roads, but it also had its share of backwoods rocky and muddy paths over which streams were trickling to find their way down the hill. The latter measurably slowed me down, but the poles helped me keep my balance. The pictures show some of the more difficult sections as well as some of the countryside.
The arrangement for lodging tonight seemed a bit out of the ordinary. After arriving at my destination village, I was to call the designated B&B. Well, first of all, my phone is nonop—I never bought a simcard! That’s where my hiking buddy helped out. Indeed, someone came and picked me up, but then drove over 20 min for about 13 km (8 mi)—way out in the boondocks, but what a luxurious, roomy place. I was blown away—my only complaint is that it’s terribly cold (and was shivering)! Some of that is due to my metabolism having drastically changed and pushing hard today. On Caminos, I usually start shivering at night on about day 4 or 5 (as I recall). It’s now bedtime and I’ve rehydrated, had electrolyte capsules, and a good hearty dinner, but unfortunately had to pass on wine.