Day 4: Tineo to Colinas de Arriba, 23.37 km, 14.49 miles

1000 Words (Picture > Words)

Just a few words before I turn it over to my photo gallery. While having first coffee this morning, I remembered the artisan bakery across the street (an Albergue La Plaza benefit). I wandered over and bought two donuts for pilgrim fuel. They were indeed artisan. I saw my Australian friend, James, (a younger, Australian version of me) at the bar having his first coffee and walked over for a quick chat. We talked about the Way out of town. Directionally, and hopefully, it seemed the Camino went westward and downhill out of town. There was a crusty old man enjoying his coffee at a table nearby. He took a drag off his cigarette, flipped the ashes to the side, and gave a nod up the hill:

“Arriba, siempre esta arriba.”

Of course…up, it’s always up.

Oviedo to Grado was beautiful. Grado to Salas, even more so. Salas to Tineo, still even more so. But this walk from Tineo to Colinas de Arriba, stunning – at the top of each hill and around every corner…okay, I’ll shut up now.

There are two choices for the next stage – Los Hospitales or La Pola. I decided early on that I would take the Hospitales route, even though it is reportedly more difficult because of weather and exposure. Thanks to a tip from a Portuguesa pilgrim-friend, we took the left turn to La Pola. According to the tip – the albergue is great and there is a back way up to the Hospitales from this diversion.

It was a couple of miles to Colinas de Arriba from the decision point, another good walk with great views and lots of hills (don’t expect anything different from the Primitivo). My Portuguesa friend was right, the Albergue Los Hospitales was amazing. The shared rooms were well-designed, there was a bar, a restaurant, and excellent hospitality. And in a rare show of hospitality/entertainment, there was a miniature golf course in the garden area! Sadly, it rained all afternoon and night.

No Camino golf for me.