Day 37. Astorga to Foncebadon. 27 km. rest day 2 for Eleanor in Astorga

Dick left for Foncebadon, Checking again if I preferred that he stay behind.  I know how much he wants to walk every step of the camino so I told him I was going to be fine.  I moved to a room overlooking the plaza and saw that the farmers had set up their tents and produce.  

About noon I went to the market and checked to see if it was really castanas (chestnuts) I had seen from the balcony.  It was and I asked the farmer if I could taste it.  it wasn't cooked so I could not buy it.  I bought some chorizo, ham, cheese, carrots, tomato, nectarine and mandarin oranges for my lunch.  I went back to the hotel and asked if they would roast the chestnuts for me and they agreed so I bought some.  They brought the roasted chestnuts up in my room, still hot and wrapped in newspaper like it would be bought from the streets.  It was disappointing as it wasn't good.  Later I saw the cook and thanked him and he said it was too early for chestnuts and they are not good yet.  He must have tasted them.

I walked to the cathedral and the Gaudi Palace.  It is always a surprise how every town has a masterpiece cathedral or building.  I saw my first pilgrims on horses strutting right in the middle of town.

Cathedral

Gaudi Palace

The town hall with the moving figures when the clock strikes the hour.

Astorga the city of Chocolate

I rested all day, icing my knee and keeping my feet up.  Unfortunately, the walk to the cathedral and Gaudi Palace and walking back to the hotel was very uncomfortable.  My knees have a long way to go.   I will be meeting Dick in 6 days in Sarria where we hope to do the last 100 km. together.  I hope my knee heals up.  I shared a table with a couple from Switzerland who are biking. It was strange not splitting my meal with Dick tonight.  We always order a different meal and share our meals to get a variety.  I had a whole flan dessert tonight!

Am hoping to see a physio therapist, I called the number and and got a message in Spanish I did not understand.  I will have the desk clerk call tomorrow.

Dick called while I was at dinner and got to his destination, Foncebadon, a 27 km. walk.