Day 6 walking. Carrying an extra load today 27 April Puerte La Reina

A really early start this morning - everyone in the room seemed anxious to get going. Not sure why, perhaps they wanted to make the most of the fact that it wasn't raining at that moment, or they were looking to do 2 stages, approx 40km. Not us. We were looking to do around 20km, but as usual that's a maybe.

So 6.30am we were out on the road in the semi-dark, dressed for cold and rain - ready for anything. We walked with a camino friend, Pierre, a Canadian who has really poor eyesight, so wanted someone to walk with whilst it was still dark.

We knew today's path included a long uphill, followed by a steep downhill which was reported to be loose gravel and quite slippery. But today we had light rain, freezing cold, very muddy, slippery uphill, followed by a gravel downhill path which wasn't too bad.

Amazingly, at the top of the mountain the weather was cloudy and cold, but no rain. Then once over the top, the sun came out and blue skies appeared. It was really taunting us, because it fluctuated between sun, cloud, rain, wind..... necessitating numerous wardrobe changes! I lost count of how many times I took a layer off, and put it on again later.

Walking up to Alto de Perdon was sooo muddy. We are carrying and extra kilo or two on each shoe! Alto de Perdon is where you can be pardoned for your sins. Maybe the extra load was penance for my sins... But it certainly felt lighter as we descended in sunshine - albeit very briefly.

hands so cold..... only had socks for protection

Couldn't walk any further today. My pack grew heavier throughout the day, and mud challenged me. Thankful for nerdy walking poles.

Beautiful afternoon in Puenta la Reina

Update of the blister front.

• Fleece in the sock wasn't doing anything with this one. Advice from all fronts was to pop it.
• Walking with blister on side of heel was causing a change to balance and walking gait to the point where I was developing pain in my ankle. Considered I might need to strap the ankle.
• So I stuck the threaded needle through it releasing the fluid. Attempted the superglue strategy, but had trouble squeezing any inside the blister, so smothered it over the top. Then added this 'second skin' stuff.
• Started off really well, but by the end of the day, blister had reformed, and giving a bit of pain.
• Next plan - release fluid again and strap it this time. See how it goes now. Think I will have to ditch the sandals!!!!!

Notes to self

• 19km  Cizor Menor to Puenta la Reina
• Puerte La Reina - Albergue 5€ each. 10 people in a small dorm, but ok
• Sandals that you can wear with socks would be better option. Not the best fashion statement, but beats cold toes any day.
• Bar Menu del Dia - 9.90€ each, and a great choice for each of 3 courses. 29.40€ for dinner including a bottle of wine, and extra drinks and coffees and hot chocolate. Add free wifi, so we've been here for an afternoon. All good.
• Cheap ponchos are useless.
• Lex should pack gloves for cold weather. Was thinking early today, gloves might be nice, but for only first hour or two. We could probably survive without. But cold came in bursts throughout the day. Lex suffered the most, so gloves should be on his packing list.
• A buff is a great addition. Small, but excellent for cold. Can even pull it up over your mouth and nose.
• Walking poles are super for slippery paths, both uphill and downhill

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