From Astorga to Foncebadon (28km)

Very often I have been thinking:'nothing has realy prepared me for the physical challenge of this trip'. Today the wheather is a challenge as well. On top of the mountain it is close to freezing during the day due to the windchill factor, fog and constant rain. But I start the day early with a lot of positiv thoughts.

Short after leaving the city of Astorga I see my first rainbow of the day. You are supposed to wish for something - there is nothing to wish for me, but I am thinking of the Middle East. What mess is it in Syria: a dictator fighting his people, so called rebels fighting not for democracy, but for a system with them in power, Paschmergas fighting for an independent Kurdistan, US and EU involved thinking
they can solve the situation, Turkish and Russian troops fighting each other over influence of the
northern part of Syria: from my heart I wish the people of Syria that they can live in peace together again and that all external powers have the interest of the people and not of their country in mind!!!!!

The temper true drops noticeable as higher as I climb. I am thinking of the song which played in an instrumental version probably by accident in the restaurant last night: Walking in a Winter Wonderland. Yes, that song is more than appropriate now here in Santa Catalina Del Somora ( hi Catalina, this is probably where your name is from:)))

In Rabanal Del Camino I have my breakfast and spend more time than usual to kind of heat up again with 3cafe con laiche, 2 hot chocolates and 3 fresh squeezed orange juices. After an hour I start for the remaining 3.5 km with 300 meters incline. The village of Foncebadon is almost depopulated. Many houses are ruins. I find my B&B and take a long hot shower!