A Fonsagrada

Yesterday walker Kristen mentioned a saying she had seen on a tile in Burgos (a city on Camino Frances): "A day without a sunrise is a day wasted" -- this was a lovely thought as I left Castro after a 7:00 breakfast at Residencia Juvenil.

Ermita de San Lazaro de Padraira -- the first written reference to this small chapel appeared in 1581; reconstruction was done in the 17th c.

Cemetary crosses stood out at Iglesia de Santa Maria Magdalena in the town of Penafuente whose name references a water fountain.  

Morning mist clung in the valleys despite the rising temperature.

On the way up to Alto de Acebo there was a gate to pass through, a rarity on the Road.

Wind turbines stood tall on the crest.

The Asturias-Galicia border, located near El Acebo, is indicated with a marker and stones. From this point onward Camino markers had shell designs with ribs pointing west towards Santiago (rather than ribs facing eastward).

English pilgrim Tim took a break at bar O Acebo. Tim, who lives in Aberdeen, Scotland, speaks fluent Spanish and has worked as a data analyst and statistician. He now enjoys publishing work, including helping to publish a guidebook written by Johnnie Walker about the Camino Ingles route on the northern coast of Spain.

** Later in the day Tim would be my 'Camino Angel' when he kindly helped translate for me at an emergency medical clinic in A Fonsagrada, where I stayed the night. My daily wear disposable contact had rolled to the side of my eye & wouldn't come out with drops. If the contact had stayed in overnight, there was a strong chance of infection. At the clinic, the doctor and nurse flushed the eye and were able to get out the contact with tweezers. Cost was zero & they wished me a "Buen Camino" -- I was grateful for the clinic and Tim's 'Camino spirit'!

Walkers got ready to hit the trail again after refreshments at the bar.

Thinking of Dad

Tim uses an umbrella to block the sun -- he had seen umbrellas used as sun shields in Africa. It's a practical approach to guard against the heat and ultraviolet rays.

The Way to A Fonsagrada involved many hills to climb.

  

This Yorkie ran out from a garage to bark a greeting -- I was concerned it would follow me so didn't stop to chat!  

The escutcheon, or shield with coat of arms, above the doorway of Ermita Santa Barbara in Silvela contained a pilgrim's staff with gourd and also the cross of St. James. In the middle is a shell with a symbol resembling the Knights Templar's cross. The chapel's name in the Galician language, or Galego, is Santa Barbara do Camino -- the Castillian "de" becomes "do" in Galego.

The senda, or road, into A Fonsagrada -- cyclists or
walkers who prefer asphalt surfaces use this.

Albergue Cantabrico in A Fonsagrada, which derives from "Sacred Spring," or Fons Sacrata. According to a legend associated with the town's name, St. James turned the village fountain's water into milk to aid a poor widow after she had helped him -- the fountain then became the "sacred fountain."

The sacred fountain, located down the street from the albergue -- the site must have been altered over the centuries.

Walker Henne from Greenland gives a thumbs up at the Pilgrim Office, which is adjacent to the albergue and Iglesia de Santa Maria. The office gave a sello along with offering maps and information. Free bottles of cold water were available too.

For an early dinner, I ate snacks in the albergue's kitchen. Later I found a cafe open for an ensalada mixta, which typically includes lettuce, tomato, onions, olives, tuna, and white aparagus.