Second day synopsis: short walk

15  be precise, unlike yesterday's 23 K. We went only to Hospital de Orbigo from Villadangos. 10 years ago we went clear to Astorga from Villadengos. The map in this post shows the entire Villidangos to Astorga route.

Although it was shorter than yesterday , it did not seem proportionally shorter. We stopped on the way at a pleasant albergure for a coke and snack of frutad freshly made by the on-site host. We passed the distance to Santiago marker on the way. (See photo)

The Camino was more pleasant today, with shaded paths running by small cattle paddocks, as the third photo illustrates.

We are staying at the albergue  Encina in a suite with a single and double room, plus kitchen and bath. Cost was 57€ for all three of us. The suite is on the third floor, and after the walk, with packs on our backsm the stairs were almost our undoing. We now plan all activities to minimize trips to the rooms. Since we are shortly to have dinner, which in authentic Spanish tradition, is no earlier than 8 PM, we have one more trip today. We hope to then have only the trip down tomorrow.

We crossed a beautiful Roman bridge over the Rio Orbigo coming into town (see photo). We were envious of the people in a camper on the riverbank below (not in photo)

Now, to dinner, which will be described tomorrow if there is any note worthy aspect to it. The menu, handwritten by the bartender on a napkin at my request,   took the better part of 20 minutes to translate (See the photo) It seems there are two parts: primo and secundo. Primo is a choice of paella, salad or some mushroom concoction. Secundo looks like a choice of steak, mixed grill or lomo, pork loin. We will see how this translation is for accuracy.

Later: dinner was OK, bit not really up to US standards. Whereas last night our lamb appeared to be road kill, dismembered without regard for where anatomical joints actially were, but cut across bones only appoximating the correct locations, we shyed away from unknown cuts tonight, ordering bifsek, or steak. Picture a nice think rare steak? I did too, but what we got was more like chipped beef in both thickness and well-doneness, if not in flavor. Anyway we considered it a victory when there was a notable absence of grease. To add insult to imjury , the locals who knew to come later got a different and maybe better menu.