18 miles, 475′ elevation
From one cobblestoned medieval town founded by the Romans slightly inland to another on the coast. Santillana had the famous Altimira Caves with Paleolithic cave art. Not a straight street, flat brick, even wall in the whole of town. Makes for walking after my pain elixir of mass quantities of red wine problematic.
Up and out of Santillana, lost twice because of no concha arrows. Met a Spanish prenatal nurse from Salamanca, who found the correct path. We actually walked the entire way together. She spoke some English, more than my Spanish, and she attempted to help me learn more Spanish. She grew frustrated.
Second time she has walked Camino Norte. Did from Irunn to Santillana last year, and today was her first day and she’ll go nine days. She hopes to finish it next summer. She lost her husband of 25 years to cancer last year.
We parted as we descended into Comillas Bay. I headed straight to the beach to swim, float, stretch my way to relaxation.
ljm22 