Stage 16: Llanes to Ribadesella

Plan B, that's the name of the café across from a school in Llanes. Some students are standing here, waiting for the start of class.

Plan B, the name says it all. I have been living in my Plan B for a few months now and it's been good. I hope for the young students that they haven't already come up with a Plan B, but are living in the here and now.

Today, Plan B also means not following the Camino at the beginning, but the coast, my coast.

So, up the steps and off we go. Up there, some students are also waiting and enjoying the sunrise. That wouldn't be for me, I would often be so amazed that I would only show up for the 3rd class. The view is just so fabulous.

Suddenly, the camera doesn't take any more pictures....... - the memory card is full. How quickly 1600 pictures are taken. 'Don't worry,' I hear little Sophie say in my thoughts. The rest of the family knows all too well how right she is. I may forget some things at home on our trips, but I always have enough memory cards with me. So, put a fresh chip in and off we go.

By now, I am so spoiled by the fascinating landscape that I sometimes skip a bay, also because I look at my hiking app and it says: ... 23 km left to go.

By midday, I reach another bay with a large sandy beach, and there they are again, my friends, the surfers. While I prepare my baguette, I watch their skillful ride on the waves.

I look to the left at the railway tracks and have another association: 'At 70, it runs straight like on rails.'

Wow, what's that? Are Caroline and Michael coming towards me on their way back from Santiago de Compostela? They had written to me via WhatsApp at the beginning of my tour that they would be ahead of me. Unfortunately, it's not them. I would have loved to chat with them about their experiences.

Upon arrival at the destination, it's time to check in, take a hot shower, go to the supermarket to shop for tomorrow, upload the pictures for the blog, and... 'Wisch, wasch, wisch, wasch... I really want to go to the laundromat.' (by BAP). This time it's self-service; the result is impressive.

In the evening, I take a stroll through the beautiful city, which definitely deserves a whole day of my attention, but tomorrow I will continue hiking.