A long and windy road (to Agés)
Trip Start
Aug 25, 2008
1
12
24
Trip End
Oct 02, 2008
Agés,
Spain
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Because of that, I leave around 8:30, a rather late start compared to the last few days. Again, I am on my own, and along the way I don't meet many fellow pilgrims. The sky is overcast and it sure looks like it's going to rain today. Good thing that yesterday while strolling around Belorado I bought myself a new raincoat. However, there's a very strong wind blowing which eventually blows the rainclouds away. The landscape changes as I approach the Montañas de Oca, it's getting more green again. From Villafranca to today's stage end in Agés, I mostly walk alone through the forest. Actually I catch a sunburn, because the wind is quite refreshing. A wonderful landscape to go hiking, and I really enjoy being on my own for a change. Almost no pains and I really feel like I could walk on forever
The albergue in Belorado
. I cut back on breaks, so I already walking for quite some hours before I meet Christian on the road. He's from Austria too, and I was introduced to him two days ago when Flo and I overtook him. So, we walk the remaining hour together, until we arrive at the monastery of San Juán de Ortega. Christian stays there, while I am somewhat put off by the unfriendly receptionist. In the adjactant bar, I meet Maggie, John and Gerd again, so I pause for some time. Gerd, did I already tell you about him? He's 72 years old, but still walking like a 30 year old. Although in the beginning, so I was told, he tipped over and fell and almost couldn't stand up on his own anymore. My respect towards him is growing every day I see him along the Camino. Well, the weather is getting worse, so I pack my things and say goodbye to Christian. During the last five kilometres it starts to rain; a very nasty rain consisting of small raindrops coming almost from the side. I walk hastily through the forest and almost get blown off a ridge, so when I finally arrive at Agés, I am more than happy to learn that the albergue is relatively new and actually has single hot showers lockable from the outside! Wow. I take a long nice hot shower to warm up again. Afterwards I realise that Flo is actually accommodated in the same room as I, just below me. We go to the only shop in the village, the Alquemista, which somehow also serves as a bar, and I get stuck there as more fellow pilgrims - John, Maggie and Annette - join us for a drink. Roland, the owner of the shop, really is an intriguing person: He speaks at least German, English and Spanish fluently, and even Annette is surprised as he manages to squeeze out a few words in Danish. Funnily enough, we can't pin his origin and he refuses to tell us. His English has an Irish accent; his German would put him somewhere around Stuttgart and his Spanish I can't tell. A nice and quite distinguished person to meet along the Camino; should you happen to stay in Agés, be sure to pay him a visit. I wonder if someone can find out where he is from after all.
