Day 10 Castro Urdiales to Liendo

The festivities in Castro-Urdiales were still going strong when I woke up just after 7am. By the time I left my pension in search of breakfast the town had been thoroughly cleaned and other than a few flags flapping about there was no evidence of the all night partying.

Walking out of town the Camino signs were non existent and I took a lengthy diversion along the coast, (I loved this diver sculpture), eventually joining the official route after 3k or so. A straightforward route into Islares where I stopped for a late coffee. The sun was making me sleepy and I could happily have spent several hours watching the surfers on the beach, and what I think were vultures circling over the craggy peaks.

I followed the highway for a short while until the route split, I took the longer off-road option and arrived in Rioseco for a welcome picnic break in the village’s playing field. Thereafter it got a bit confusing. A new route was clearly way marked which I opted not to follow. For 3 or 4 k I was walking through a eucalyptus forest with a couple of very steep and rocky ascents. I saw no one, and no footprints and I had several moments of uncertainty and self doubt. At worst I would have had to go back and join the new route. According to my GPX tracker I was correct and it was with some relief that I joined the new way marked track after an hour or so of tough walking. I subsequently learned that the route I took is “inadvisable”.

Overnighting in Liendo, the bar in the main square offers a pilgrim meal which I might try, providing the kitchen opens before 9.

Another long day that felt more challenging than yesterday, 28k and 597m ascent.

Later at 8pm, no pilgrim's meal but a decent plate of huevos, fries, the inevitable smoked pork, and a glass of the excellent local vino tinto filled a gap.