From El Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas
Wednesday, May 8 This 12 miler was not one of our most memorable. It was
12 miles in a straight line. No large trees, just farmland and wide open land on both sides of the trail. Here is what it looked like. Notice the puddles. It rained for the first 2 hours. It was a light steady rain. We wore our 46 Euro dysfunctional ponchos. I didn’t take photos, but visualize this: Angie’s poncho is bright neon orange and mine is bright neon lime……honestly we look like the bumpkins in a Fruit of the Loom ad. I will take photos of these jerky ponchos the next time it rains and then you decide. I want to choke the guy who sold us these bogus rain protectors in St. Jean Pied de Port France. If it wasn’t for the snowing in the Pyrenees, we would have catapulted these bad boys in a New York minute. You should have seen the looks on the local’s faces when we strolled into town. We didn’t want them to reflect on America or Italy so we started to talk in pig latin whenever we came upon a local. All kidding aside, they did keep us dry……but I ask you….was it worth the price? This is what my boots looked like after 12 miles today: 
Our good friend, Kay Dorrough, asked about what we eat on the Camino. For breakfast we eat very light. It’s called a Pilgrim’s breakfast. Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk) , fresh orange juice and toast. 2 Euro out the door…..That is it. Guess that is enough as we have dinner around 8PM. Lunch varies. Maybe Bogadillos. These are submarine type sandwiches: Salchison, that is salami; Jamon, that is ham like prochiutto, Choriso well that is…….well you really do not want to know. Just eat it…It’s good and spicy. You might want to stockpile it if you like it. It probably will be banned by Bloomberg soon. You can order any of these sandwiches with queso (cheese).
But today we had tortilla. Not what you think. These are potato based. For lunch, potato and eggs. They are formed in the shape of a pie. Here is what they look like:
As luck will have it, tortilla was served for dinner where we stayed in Mansilla. This was different though. It was potato with different vegetables and spices….quite good. Here is what it looked like before slicing:
Dessert was a yogurt and strawberry type sundae. I will save the description of the liquid portion of each meal for another posting.
Tomorrow we head out to Lyon. 13 miles and a lot of it along the highway. We are staying at the Parador National….the same one that was featured in the movie “The Way”
As I mentioned in the previous post, we will take a 1 day rest there before continuing on. I will take time to start answering all the comments you have made and emails. We have read each of them but have been guilty of not responding. Ciao for now.
Mike
Mike & Angie On The Camino de Santiago 
Bravo Mike! Bravo Angie! You are in my thoughts EVERYDAY! What an amazing, awesome journey. You both are my HEROES! God Speed, Safely!
Arlene
May 8, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Hi Arlene! Thanks for following us and keeping us in your thoughts.
Mike & Angie
May 10, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Great post! The food looks great!
May 8, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Angie, I hope you’re collecting recipes along “The Way”!! Those tortillas looked really good. Enjoy your day off. Much love!
May 8, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Hola, John and I have just spent a week in Napa, not walking as much as drinking, so we can definitely keep up with you in this department! We love your stories and can’t wait to hear more. Currently, we are getting things done to leave on Sunday, and are whittling down what we are taking. Looks like the weather will be cool with some showers – no heat wave. Muchos besos, J&J.
Sent from my iPhone
May 8, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Hey J & J!
Hope you sampled some good Cabs up there. We wish you a buon viaggio. Keep in touch via email. We look very forward to meeting up with you here around the 20th in Spain!
Love,
Mike
May 9, 2013 at 8:10 pm
I have been following each day by reading the description of your next days walk. It looks like tomorrow will be more of the same but at least it’s a lot easier on the legs. By my calculation, you have complete approximately 280 miles with 198 miles left…..Amazing!!.
Mark
May 9, 2013 at 12:33 am
Hey Mark,
Pretty close estimate. After our next 13 mile walk, we will have traveled 307 miles!! Unbelievable!!
Mike
May 9, 2013 at 8:13 pm
So Proud of you two!!!! Hope Bill and I can do that some day. Can’t wait to see you and hear all about your adventurers. God speed and God Bless!! You are an inspiration!!!!
xo,
Trisha and Bill
May 9, 2013 at 1:42 am
Ah, la tortilla española, a true staple of the Spanish diet. It’s good warm or cold. Thank you for speaking pig Latin when caught in a HUGE (and I mean international incident) fashion faux pas. I remember pretending I was German when I didn’t want to be American, but I realize that probably wouldn’t work for you.
Have an easy glide to Leon!
La Reina
May 9, 2013 at 2:23 am
I admit it…I have been concerned with Angie’s feet. You know the drill Angie so I won’t get into the bossy-nurse stuff. We’re rootin’ for you and so admire what you’re doing.
I simply love the pictures and the description of the parkas. Please send of picture of ’em.
Love, Mo
May 9, 2013 at 4:08 am
Loved the poncho part of the story:0 Made me laugh so hard. Angie hope you are not losing your sense of style!
May 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Hi Mike and Angie,thanks for the up-dates and photos. Meeting a wonderful cross section of people when I walked part of the Camino last year was a real joy and blessing for me and I am sure it is the same for you When you get to Santiago,don’t forget to have the signature dish of the area–“Pulpo”-octopus. Very tasty. Buen Camino Father O’Mahony
Sent from my iPad
May 9, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Hi Father! We will definitely try the Pulpo! We have eaten practically everything else! Everything you told us at our luncheons have come to pass. Thanks for your insights regarding the Camino. We hope you had a great time with your family & friends in Ireland. Love, Mike & Angie
“Mike & Angie
May 10, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Dear Angie and Mike,
A day of rest – enjoy. Thanks for the food update. Cannot wait for the
review on the Octopus. When you get home you will probably be
surprised when you read your weight. Can I ask another question:
what is growing in the farm fields? Kay
May 9, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Hi Kay, Great question. On the good soil mostly wheat and and a yellow plant used to produce Canola oil. Someone told me it is called Rapeseed. On the less fertile soil they grow oats & barley. Mike
“Mike & Angie
May 10, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Oh that made me smile! The thought of the bright tangerine and lime walking down the road. Reading your posts has become a favorite part of our day. Well done friends! Hugs,
Cynthia and Ted
May 9, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Ciao Angie & Mike! Love reading about your camino- I am very impressed w/your perserverance thru all the tough goings. And your humor is great- esp the ponchos! Angie, I was happy to read you found a solution to your leg & feet problem- who would have thought the backpack was causing it! You two are inspiring – can’t believe you’ve done almost 300 miles-wow! Wonderful photos….
May 9, 2013 at 4:56 pm
I don”t know about the octopus that Father O”Mahony recommended ,however being it is fish I don”t think Angela could resist ! I really got a good laugh at your update today and I think both of you have a super sense of humor ! Love the updates and photos and I to think you are two awesome people ! Love, hugs and kisses, Mom
May 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm
SWEETER, THEN SWEETS!
May 10, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Ok, I really think we need a fashion show with the ponchos! Al and I have some prize ponchos that we bought while on the big island of Hawaii. I know mine is the same bright orange of Angie’s. I keep it in the trunk of my car in case of an emergency…I guess I would be noticed along the side of the road in this orange “tent” if the car broke down in a rain storm. People would stop because they would think this orange “blob” was some structure of safety! I look more like a moving building than a person in my poncho! Hope you had a nice day of rest!
Love,
Marianne
May 9, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Hi Angie & Mike
Your updates and photos are great! Mike when you told me you were going to hike the Camino I was probably not listening well or very naive, because I had no Idea you would be walking across the width of Spain. It is just as well or I probably would have said: Are you #####??? One suggestion for your next Little Trek…Jet Packs 🙂 Looking forward to your safe return and a good lunch with you and Angie. Glad you are resting up.
Take Care
Love,
Fred
May 10, 2013 at 2:53 am