23-10-01 to 10-05: "I'm on my way from Oviedo to Santiago along Camino del Norte" - the first days

23-10-05 Luarca

Finally, after a lot of troubles, I'm starting to write this blog on Thursday the 5:th of October 2023....

I'm sitting in a hotel room in the small city of Luarca at the norther coast of Spain having walked my first 3 days. So, what happened? 

On Sunday (23-10-01) I had planned to fly from Gothenburg to Oviedo/Aviles via Stansted in England using Ryanair. The first part to Stansted was OK. But Stansted itself wasn't. The airport was filled with people and security control took more than an hour due to this. I had 1½ h switching tim. I would have needed 3 h. So, when I got to the gate, the plane had left. And the next flight was on Tuesday... I went to complain about the situation and discuss alternatives. The possibility I got was to take a late flight to Santiago. I took that and it worked out all right. But I landed late and got by bus to the center of Santiago even later. After much searching, I found a hotel. 

On Monday (23-10-02) I should have started my walk, but now I had to find and take a bus to Oviedo. I had hoved to use BlaBla cars, but that proved to be too complicated. Instead after many ifs and buts, I, at the new bus station, had to take a long-distance bus that passed Leon on its way to Oviedo. The trip was interesting since I passed a number of places I had passed on foot on earlier walks. And late, very late I arrived in Oviedo and found a hotel there. I intended to start walking from there. But having lost a day I decided instead to jump the first walk from Oviedo to Aviles and instead take the bus to the airport situated next to Aviles, the same airport where I should have landed on Sunday night. 

And so, I did on Tuesday (23-10-03).  I had a short meal at the airport and then started to walk "Camino del Norte" on a small road that passes close to the airport. On my way at last...! I walked on small roads and after some time I passed Muros de Nalon. There were many ups and downs until I reached "Soto de Luiña" some 26 km, where I found a place to sleep in the albergue. It was a big room with maybe 30 two-story beds. But I slept well.

The next day, Wednesday (23-10-04), I found a place to eat breakfast nearby. And then after a shorter walk the road split. I had been warned about the high route, so I took the low alternative route, hoping for it to be easier. In a way it was but it contained a lot of up- and downhills so towards the late afternoon I was very tired. I went into Cadavedo after about 20 km. Found the small albergue, with hardly any service. But at least I could wash my clothes. They didn't dry overnight...

Today, Thursday (23-10-05) started with more ups and downs. Not so many as yesterday though. , it's But when I reached the small city of Luarca around lunchtime after about 12 km, I was tired. I felt that I had had enough, passed the river and found a hotel in the center of the city. The third walking day is normally my worst. And so it was also this time. I spent the afternoon cleaning, sorting things up and taking care of myself. Towards the evening I went out to have a simple meal. And finally started to write this diary. Some difficulties to add photos though. The connection to the mobile phone does not work.

Well, it's not today... But still, it is today... an early Saturday morning. However, a couple of words regarding yesterday Friday (23-10-06). I left the small hotel around 8 and went to have breakfast at a nearby bar and then off...

A long day through villages and countryside and even a small city. Not very much to remember. A few glimpses of the sea until later in the afternoon I approached the small city of Navia where I found another hotel to sleep. A while I was both bodily and mentally exhausted during the afternoon - for some reason. I wondered - can I really do this, or do I have to interrupt? We'll see...

.. and it's time for breakfast. I'll check if they have some here. The receptionist said so yesterday. Will add Friday photos a bit later. 

Saturday (23-10-07) Went from Navia to Tapia (de Casariego) Walked reasonably close to the coast and the sea over slowly undulating plains sometimes interrupted by valleys with streams. Passing such ... first down about 100 to 150 m, then up the same again. The "plains" are definitely not empty but there are houses nearby or around you most of the time. But not real villages.  Reached Tapia that was a vacation city and a fisherman's city at the seaside. Fell in love with it directly in spite of the fact that the albergue was closed due to maintenance. It had to be a cheap hotel instead. A walk around the city and a meal at a fisherman's restaurant. 

Sunday (23-10-08) A shorter walking day to Ribadeo - only about 13 km. A fatastic long bridge over the bay inlet (and probably also river outlet) leads into the city. I had entered Galicia. I found the bus station but it was not manned so I could not reserve any seat to Santiago. I strolled around the city and later returned to the bus station. 

When the ALSA bus to Santago finally arrived, it was full, and I could not get a seat (due to "no reservation"). I was on the verge of giving up but a couple suggested that I should take a local bus to a place a bit inland and there change to a Santiago bus. And so I did. 

It worked out well passing through a fantastic hilly landscape and always very close to the Northern Camino. I wish I could have walked. But it was too late now. You saw the signs quite often and could trace the Camino on your map in the mobile phone. It together with several good apps have been indispensable. It's a must these days.

Finally arrived in Santiago, at the bus station where I had spent a lot of time earlier. And I went to the same hotel as earlier where I slept the night before taking the bus to Oviedo earlier. 

>>>> 2023 later: Still problems transferring photos to the computer and Blogger. I should try later. I know it should work but I'm making some mistakes that I must find.

2023 > 2025 ... one and a half year later ...

At the end of March of 2025 is is my intention to restart the walk along Camino del Norte, from Ribadeo to Santiago. Will do that together with my two German friends from Via Podiensis. I'm writing this to check that the blog still works and that i can continue using it.