La Caridad to Oviedo, by foot and train

Last night's Albergue full of Santiago bound pilgrims and news from James, from Ireland, that lots of Spanish pilgrims are taking advantage of today's public holiday (Happy May Day dear readers, or comrades if you prefer) ... making a 5 day weekend for a stage of the Norte ... indeed at early breakfast stop at Las Camelias 30 or so pilgrims from Avila are preparing for Ribadeo, while another 60 from the group headed home yesterday ... making quite a group, table companion wistfully noting the joys of the solitary Way ... meanwhile the crammed Albergue was surprisingly quiet, barely a snore to be heard and a deep sleep until 7.15, by which time the single men's toilet was in great demand and ablutions postponed until the Camelias ...

The day is fine for walking, but the mind has gone to San Vicente and backwards walking not appealing ... nor hard shouldering more than necessary ... train from Navia known from before and station finds Andrew from Tasmania skipping a few kms to La Caridad before walking to Ribadeo ... the Gijon train is a couple of hours later, so after a good chat he heads off on the train. .. bar at bus station nearby offers refreshment and bus advice (public holiday making bus option a little later) and walking postponed in favour of writing, relaxing and eating ... food intake sometimes neglected on long stages ...

Train runs sedately along coast, though tunnels, touching the Camino along the way, before swinging south to Oviedo, where a risky and unnecessary 5 minutes is offered to change trains for San Vicente. .. 3 hours is enough training today, Oviedo at 3.30 perfect for lunch, hotel at same location perfect for bed, including en suite bathroom, for €28 ...7th floor with excellent view ...station nearby for the morning ... bus station also, ALSA offering early, midday, evening departures ... let's see what the morning brings, maybe some city sightseeing first ...

Oviedo, of course, is the start of the Primitivo, signs and shells found by Cathedral ... though that's for another time ...