Santiago to Ribadeo

The ankle decides it needs more rest . . . self-diagnosis suggests shin splints, ligaments . . . sufficient rest the remedy . . . so it's an early coffee at the very friendly Restaurant/Hostal San Martin, which I forget to pay for and the host perhaps decides not to spoil the love by asking . . . anyway, it's paid forward at the bus station, to a plausible, well presented panhandler, playing the "just need 50 cents for my ticket" game . . . rather bemused by my naive open hand full of change and with a friendly smile takes €1.50 . . . other methods in town include folks kneeling silently with heads bowed, a sign saying how many children need feeding . . . a one legged assertive chap who responds to my offer of the only coin in my pocket, 10 cents, with disdain . . . the odd one wandering the restaurant tables asking . . . and at the doors of churches and cathedrals, not only in Santiago . . . testing the charitable instincts of the faithful . . .

I am on the bus for Ribadeo, on the coast and some way along the Camino del Norte . . . . perhaps some more rest, then some gentle walking towards Santander . . .

At the albergue, the last in Galicia for me, Irena from Russia, Raul from Spain, Stefano from Italy . . .  no sign of the hospitalier, just a notice that credentials will be stamped at 1915. Irena gained entry by ringing the police, who opened up and left her the key . . . a stunning location, by the bridge, overlooking the port and across the river to Asturias . . .

The ankle is responding to the rest and the promise of gentle stages . . . the plan - to wander east on foot or by bus for ten days or so . . . see how it goes . . .