Laredo to Guemes Albergue

Up at 630, I prepacked the night before, hoping to get out early.  Breakfast was at 715.  Coffee, fruit, and pound cake plus wonderful company.

Ate, finished packing and headed out, leaving at 830.

We walked along beach, longest beach in Spain to the ferry that would be taking us to Santona.  Five minute ride across, they could easily have bridge....but they don't.

Walked through town to another beach, Playa de Berria. A few surfing schools along beach, we walked to beach to watch for while. Walked on beach to 'the hill ', as it is described in book, much steeper and rocky than 'hill' in my mind.  But, we made it up and over.

Playa de Noja beach, clothing optional. Paulette and I decided we'd spare them having to see such beautiful American specimens, we wouldn't have wanted any troubles.  Ha!

Near end of beach we stopped for lunch, chicken, salad, grilled bread with carmelized onion, and coke with lemon.  Very relaxing.

We decided to get a little ahead by taking a bus to Guemes Albergue.   We'd walked 10 miles by then and we were tired.

Located the bus stop with help from locals. Found the bus didn't go Guemes, so we took it to San Miguel de Meruelo. From there we took alternate route than book recommended, which was about half the distance.

We walked about 2 miles when Paulette decided to stick her thumb out and see if we could get a ride. Viola, a wonderful Spaniard picked us up and 15 - 20 minutes later, we had arrived. 

Language has been barrier for few days, but we manage to communicate and get answers and things work out.

Guemes Albergue - this place is amazing. A home that was transformed into a place for peregrinos to gather after a long day of travel. It houses up to 65 peregrinos at one time. It is owned by priest and it is his childhood home.  If you'd really like to know more, please research on Internet.  He has done wonderful things in his life and uses the money he brings in to help continue that work. A wonderful experience for me that I will remember forever.

There were about 45 staying here.  We were fed a complete dinner with wine.  We were presented the history of priest and the work they do.  There were at least 8 countries represented last night.  They keep data on numbers of peregrinos coming through. In 2014, 290 from USA stayed here, USA was 5th on list, which was surprising to me.

I went to bed last night with warmth in heart.  What an incredible day.

Day Five Done!