Camino de Santiago (part 3)

The third chapter of my Camino journey commenced in an albergue located in Le Sauvage, France. The group of Australians I met there alerted me about an incoming thunderstorm predicted to hit the area between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. I intended to cover as much distance as possible before the storm arrived, but I faced another issue: my laundry was direly overdue. The clothes I had were not only dirty but also exuded a strong, unpleasant odor and were damp. Since I began the Camino, I hadn't had a chance to air them out, and the albergue in Le Sauvage lacked a washing machine, meaning that without sunlight, my clothes wouldn’t dry outdoors.

The morning ride went smoothly. By noon, I arrived in Aumont-Aubrac. My phone suggested there was a laundromat nearby, which turned out to be just four machines located in a grocery store's parking lot. It was a bit off the main path. Factoring in the additional distance and the time it took to wait for the machines, I ended up spending roughly two hours more than planned. After resuming my journey, I took a wrong turn, mistaking it for a private driveway, an error that set me back at least another hour.

Taking these two setbacks into account, my progress that day was disappointing. Around 2:00 PM, a light drizzle began, rapidly escalating into a heavy downpour. I must admit, I often find myself in the category of those who insist that outdoor conditions can't be labeled 'bad'—the real issue lies in not dressing appropriately for them. Thankfully, I had the right rain gear, which I quickly donned. I also covered my backpack and pannier bags to protect them. Nevertheless, biking through relentless rain for hours is far from enjoyable.

By approximately 4:00 PM, I had managed to ride about 30 actual miles for the day (without accounting for the detours made to do laundry or get lost) and finally reached the town of Nasbinals. This town was of decent size and featured several small hotels. Many fellow pilgrims were milling about, making me anxious that all the accommodations would be occupied. My map didn’t show any albergues available in the vicinity, with the nearest option being a considerable 16.5 kilometers away.

Luckily, the first hotel I approached, called Hotel La Route d’Argent, which was essentially a few rooms above a restaurant, had availability. I gladly secured a room to escape the rain. The remainder of my day was spent exploring Nasbinals in the rain, where I attended a French book reading at the local church and enjoyed some food and drink. It felt somewhat melancholy; my only meaningful dialogue was with a woman selling hand-painted scallop shells. I bought a blue one and attached it to my backpack, where it remained until I got home.

All things taken into account, the second day on the Camino felt a bit somber and isolating, but it wasn't the worst it could have been, as I would soon find out. Keep an eye on my newsletter for updates on day three.

October 31, 2024 Puzzle Question

You possess three fuses, each lasting 60 minutes. Since they burn at irregular rates and you lack a watch, how can you measure a 45-minute interval?

October 31, 2024 Puzzle Answer

1. Ignite one end of fuse #1 and both ends of fuse #2.

2. After 30 minutes, when fuse #2 extinguishes, light the opposite end of fuse #1. At the same time, ignite one end of fuse #3.

3. Fifteen minutes later, once fuse #2 has completely burned out, put out fuse #3.

November 7, 2024 Puzzle Question

What is the method to distribute ten coins across three glasses such that each glass contains an odd number of coins?