Charlie: Slowpoke Camino couple Wynette and Charlie set out this morning intending to stop at a bar for coffee. Nearing the business district they encountered a friendly Spanish gentleman on a bicycle carrying pampas grass and wildflowers. “Camino de Santiago?” he inquired. He insisted he knew a better way and the polite couple followed, wanting to be open to new Camino experiences. He gave them flowers and they found out that you tug someone’s ear when they turn 70.
He asked where they started the morning and where they were stopping tonight. On hearing “Uterga” he assumed the worst of their Spanish pronunciation and said “Estella?” or surely “Puenta la Reina”. On hearing it was really Uterga he was dumbfounded. He held out his hands and moved them together indicating a fish far below the legal limit and counted on his fingers to emphasize the small number of kilometers involved.
He led them over to a shortcut guaranteed to avoid any establishments that might serve coffee. It was shorter though and they had fried eggs and excellent coffee just three miles down the way. All’s well that ends well. The distance- challenged couple can be reached at their albergue in Uterga, which they reached just after noon (after walking 8.36 miles total) and where they spent a relaxing afternoon.
Well, did you tug his ear? Nice results of following him but beware. ALL people may not be trustworthy.