Asturianos to Requejo 28 .4km

This morning I really struggled mentally. I felt fed up with the pack and creeping out in the pre-dawn.   Maybe it was the fact that once I was up, packed and 'saddled up' I went out the door into the dim dawn and discovered I was locked out! The sports centre as Albergue is exit only. I hadn't said goodbye to Karen and I was left waiting in the cold for the guys to come.  Eventually we all get going and it is freezing. There is a frost and I am cold.  Thank goodness Karen has loaned me her gloves. The back of my thighs are almost sore they are so cold but eventually we all warm up. The path is boggy and we are leaping from rock to clumps of grass and eventually I take the Tassie view and just walk through.  We stop for breakfast at a strange cafe with birds nests and wasp nests and stuffed fish and dear antlers on the wall or hanging from the ceiling. The girl is barely awake and drops saucers and cups and fumbles around. We have fresh cake for breakfast! The Spanish have very sweet tastes. I am sick of sweet things. As the path continues my mood changes and  the song about when the going gets tough the tough get going springs into my head as does the phrase ' you chose to do this, you can't wimp out now'. 

Some of the lovely doors we pass

 Soon the sun is up and warming me and I feel happy as I pass through beautiful sub alpine country. I leave the guys and continue to walk on by myself.  As I enter Puebla de Sanabria I see these two shepherds herding, chasing errant sheep and it makes me smile.

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Many shepherds have up to a dozen huge dogs to protect the sheep from wolves. I love these dogs because they seem so calm and intelligent and gentle. They are often different in shape and colour too.

The guys catch up and we walk into town. The old part has castle and a lovely medieval feel.

 Surprise! Karen has walked and hitched to here and is in a cafe killing time till the train to Orensa comes.  It is a happy meeting and she has had her own adventure, meeting the Aussies and getting a lift from a kind fellow who took her right to the station.
We have a second breakfast and then head off to  Requejo at the foot of the hills we have been watching for the last few days. It is a pleasant walk but we elect to take the road as it is more direct. We arrive and stay at the Albergue Casa Cervino. It is really nice and there are only 6 of us here.  sheets and towels and not crammed in for €12. The town reminds me a bit of Bright back home. It snows  here in winter so I expect it will be cold tomorrow and I am weRing everything this time. We have to climb over the mountain tomorrow.  I am sick of sweet stuff for breakfast so I have bought bread cheese and ham for breakfast and lunch.