Wow!  Where to even begin?  We have had a big couple of days.  I guess I will start with yesterday morning.  Stephen and I left our usual bright and early time and ended up walking behind a Spanish guy who looked like he knew where he was going, who had a map, so we figured we were good.  We always have to keep a close watch out for yellow arrows or scallop shell markers to point out the way, but for some reason we just trusted and followed this man. We ended up off the path, walking beside the highway.  Not fun and good on the feet.  After about an hour we finally found the path again, much to our relief.  A half hour later, a man called us over from his cherry orchard.  He allowed us to pick as many cherries right off the tree as we wanted- for free.  So delicious... but we learned a valuable lesson, never de-stem a cherry until you are ready to eat it.  They turn to mush pretty quick. 

Later on the sun got really hot but we wanted to press on to the town just beyond the guide´s recommendation. The final big mountain to climb was coming up the following day; O´Cebriero.  We stopped in a little town called Pereje (that didn´t have internet unfortunately), but was very nice and peaceful.  Or so we thought...This other older couple from Canada came in, whom we had met earlier in our journey.  Very sweet people but they took the beds just down from ours and informed us that he snores and she has sleep apnea.  They weren´t amused when Stephen teased that he carries a water gun with him for people like them.  Sure enough, it was my worst sleep yet.  I was wide awake for a couple of hours last night listening to Mr. and Mrs. Buzzsaw.  I actually started laughing out loud because Stephen totally called it when they walked in the room. 

Today was the much anticipated climb up O´Cebriero.  We had heard that it´s a pretty steep and intense climb, and it was- but I was impressed at the ease and speed with which we were able to do it.  I guess twenty some days of training has paid off for us.  We had originally planned on staying up there and making it a shorter day- 25k or so, but when we were at the top by 11am we decided to keep going.  And then we decided to go further.  And then we decided to try to fit two full days into one...and we did it!  46km we did today.  I still can´t believe it.  I think because 90% of it was on natural dirt paths, we were able to keep our energy and spirits up.  We took lots of breaks and drank lots of water and ate tons of fruit, and aside from tired feet and a few sore muscles, we´re feeling pretty good. 

We splurged for the night and checked into a hostel with a private room and bathtub so we can relax on our own and, God willing, sleep tonight.  The hospitalier is doing our laundry for us too.  Ah the luxury!  We´ve been doing it all by hand every day ourselves, so it is a nice treat.  Time to go rest. Tune in tomorrow...same bat time, same bat channel ;)

Buenos noches,

Andrea & Stephen