A typical day on the Camino

We wake up in the albergue (hostel) sometime between 5:30 and 6am, without an alarm.  Given this is a tad early for the majority, we’ll quietly bundle up our belongings and head to a common area to pack up properly.

If we have provisions procured from the day before, we’d ideally have a boiled egg, plain yogurt, and maybe a bit of cheese for breakfast.  This is a big alteration for both of us.  In the real world we wouldn’t be able to eat anything before our digestive system gets into gear, never earlier than 9am.

If we’re lucky with boiling water we’ll have a cup of Illy instant espresso, bought in the UK, with breakfast.  If no food then we’ll have a protein bar rationed for such eventualities and head out between 7 and 7:30.   A real coffee is our priority though so this will be our first stop, whether it’s next door or next village.  It’s not uncommon to get through 4 cafe con leche or cortados or dobles, in a day.  Nothing stays in the system for long so we never feel the effects of too much caffeine.  

The nearest village to 10am is usually our first 20min break.  It’s dos dobles con leche and whatever flaky tastiness is on offer.  A couple of times it’s been a Spanish tortilla which is best (and traditionally) washed down with a cerveza.   My favourite is a clara (similar to a UK shandy with beer and lemon).  Like caffeine, the Camino body seems to process alcohol more quickly and cleanly than usual so I’m liberal with the claras, sangrias, or vino tinto (usually chilled and ultra refreshing).  I’ve not had a single hangover, remarkable!

Lunch will most often come around 1 or 2 and in the form of provisions we carry with us; baguette, cheese, dried ham, tomato, avocado, boiled eggs, tin sardines, oranges, etc… whatever will last without refrigeration.   If we’ve not stocked, or are in a good location it’ll be bocadillos, pinxos, tapas, or authentic local restaurant.  We like the fish and octopus!

We walk whatever we’ve planned, trying to stay off the published stages to avoid the crowds, the “completo”, albergues fully booked by those who reserved in advance or arrive before us.  The timings vary by distance and elevations but usually land between 3 and 5pm.  

By this time we’ve covered 25 – 30km and are tired.  It’s secure bed first, then shower.  Wash whatever clothes we can which is a further strategy weighing up facilities, humidity and time.  We target albergues with kitchens so we have more control over what and when we eat.

We seldom eat the pilgrims dinner menu (de día) because the offer is hit and miss and a) too late for our digestive systems b) rarely worth it in quality.  We’ve had some good meals but usually when we go off piste.  Will get around to the food blog, eventually 

Then it’s bedtime to double check the next day’s route, where we can expect a decent place to break, and weather reports.  Asleep by 8, latest 9pm.

EAT, SLEEP, WALK, REPEAT