First day on the Primitivo

Helena, who lives in Oviedo, said she'd walk with me on the first stage to the town of Grado. It's about 24 km, a reasonable stage. 

Well we left around 8 am, stopped four or five times along the way (to talk to the farmer who had made a bench for pilgrims to sit on, to have a cold drink, to enjoy the rushing Nalon River, to rest in the shade, to have another cold drink, and so on). This is a new way of walking for me and very enjoyable, except till the afternoon heat descends! 

The albergue was full by the time we arrived, but never fear, the pensión is close by and has a private room for 15€. 

For Helena, it was a special visit, because this albergue has been open for about a month and she was the inaugural hospitalera (hospitalera/o is the person in charge, keeps the place clean, checks people in, and is the general hospitality m-giver). She got a royal welcome and was very happy to be there. After some good camino chatter, I said my goodbyes and proceeded about another 20 minutes down the road where the Hotel Auto Bar was waiting for me. 

I am so happy to have spent this time with Helena and even happier that she is my good Amiga Del camino. 

So yes the Primitivo is crowded!  So crowded that we saw five other pilgrims while walking today!  In comparison to the camino frances, where you see at least ten to twenty every time you lift your eyes, this is not crowded!