May....back on the road again.....

[Bierzo Baggie]

Set out without really knowing where I was going (know the feeling anybody?). Once I’d crossed the river, instead of taking the Monte Pajariel trail to the right I turned left and ran in the opposite direction. Passed a couple of heavily laden pilgrims and realizing that I was running the St James’ Way (but in the wrong direction) I decided to carry on. The walkers and cyclists (today there were hoards of them, lost count at 20..not much of one for numbers) are just completing one of the toughest parts of the route, the mountainous section between Astorga and Ponferrada. Some of them limp along with their heavy loads, obviously suffering in the heat. Stopped after 20 minutes to take a photo for a Dutch lady (it seemed the polite thing to do) and soon after ran through the little village of Campo. The last time I came along here was when Riazor Blue came to run the Ponferrada half marathon last September. Ran up through the steep, narrow streets and decided that in about 10 years time and with a bit of renovating this village might attract a few tourists.
Continued climbing on a track above the village, past vineyards now sprouting leaves. Along here there were plenty of wild pink roses and lizards which scuttled into the undergrowth as I approached. Eventually reached the brow of the hill, turned around and ran back the way I’d come.

60 energy-sapping minutes. It’s really too hot for lunchtime running now. Appropriately donned my “carreira pedestre popular Santiago 2004” cap.