Melide - Spain 2016

All my long hiking days were over. At this point I'm hoping to enjoy the walk better since my last few days are no more then 12 miles.  After being dropped off by Maria, I could tell this would be more interesting. The trail was in relatively good shape except in a few places where yesterday's rain sunk in. It was definitely a more rolling and flat route. 

Today I walked with a couple from Miami. The husband told me how they found his father's house in Spain and ran into a cousin on their trip.  I also met yesterday a mother and daughter from South Africa who were doing the whole thing.  They apparently skipped a few hard sections. I've heard from other pilgrims who picked out a strategic route in order to make sure they could finish.  Even yesterday I ran into a doctor and his wife who quit his job to do the whole way. So everyone has their story which I loved hearing. 

So below are a few pictures I took. Most of the way was through forests but I found a few interesting buildings including the last one which is the house I'm staying in.  It's another great choice I made. I'm sure there are some bad places to sleep in but all of mine have been spot on and great choices. 

Palas de Rei - Spain 2016

I'm sorry to say there isn't much to be said about this day. The day started out promising as I made my way through the forest near Portomarin.   Unfortunately it didn't last.  I know Galacia is known for its rain but this was relentless. I was only able to stop at one temple but I couldn't rake out my camera because of the downpour of rain.  Even talking to other pilgrims who were on the Camino longer felt it was pretty miserable.  

The one great part of the whole day was it stopped raining when I got to Palas de Rei.  I called the owner of the rural house where I was staying and she picked me up.  I love staying in these out of the way houses. They take such good care of you.  I don't have a picture of the Casa Blanco but here is my room.  Not only did she do laundry for me but I had a wonderful Galacia dinner.  Just a perfect way to end my day. Luckily I have one more of these places in two days. 

Portomarin - Spain 2016

What a day it has been.  The sun was shining and everyday I feel fresh to walk the Camino. After a good breakfast at Hotel Alfonso I was off. The trail is definitely better than the last two days of hiking.  I think there was only one hill going up as being steep and one rock climb at the end that was a little unusual.  Otherwise it was a rolling trail with some muddy spots. I'm a little amazed at the few spa airs who bike ride it. A bit of a challenging route. 

The sun was shining and this day was filled with a lot more pilgrims.  There was much more unlike before Sarria which in some ways is good.  You don't feel like you are the only one out there.  The trail was more rolling with a few areas where the rain made it challenging.  I love the different places you can stop for a bite to eat or drink. I think some places just decided to go with it and open a cafe because their on the route. It's busy enough where they can do good business. I know I stopped for a cafe and later for a tortilla, one of my favorites. 

You hear many of the romantic languages on the trail like French , Spanish and Italian. Plus I like seeing what gear people are carrying you can almost guess where they are from based on the brand names. 

There aren't as many churches on this route which is disappointing but I loved the first one where this old man was there to stamp your passport.  Some of these old churches had beautiful cemeteries where the whole family is buried.  They are beautiful to see. 

But in the end I loved ending up in Portomarin, a small hillside town along a river.  You have to hike to your pension but it is so worth it. I'm at a place where you can't value enough that you can have a hot shower and blow dry your hair.  They even have a restaurant where you can have a good dinner. A complete package.  

Anyway, a good day of hiking all around. Below are a few of Sarria and along the way to Portomarin. 

Sarria - Spain 2016

There are two ways out of Tricastela.  You can go via Samos which adds 7km to your walk or take the very hilly trail through San Xil. Well after the first day I wasn't sure if I was ready to do 25 km today.  So I opted for the shorter hills route. Besides I read it was quite beautiful.  I'm glad I did since the countryside is so green and filled with many farms.  I was worried it was going to rain but it ended up a great day for a hike. 

I walked part of this route with two women from the Phillipines. They were so well travelled.  This hike proved equally challenging. I had no idea there was so much rock in this part of Spain. No wonder they have stone houses. Often the trail was filled with rocks that had been almost stripped by mining.  At times it was hard not to slip.  It seems everyday the trail is different. 

I'm glad I booked all my hotels ahead of time since I never have to worry about where I stay. I think a lot of pilgrims leave early so they have a choice of albuerge in the next town. I ended up at Hotel Alfonso which is a large hotel but then Sarria is a big town. Most pilgrims complete the Camino from this point on.  

Well tomorrow is a longer hike but I'm hoping its flatter.  

Tricastela - Spain 2016

So today's my official walk on the Camino.  I started out walking with a couple from Arizona who started in Pamplona.  It was nice to enjoy the walk with someone. The weather was perfect and the views were beautiful but I have to say those first 8 miles were all uphill and often at high grades.  At this point I really did not do my homework.  I didn't realize how hilly this part of Spain was. I guess the snow capped mountains I passed on the bus should have given me a clue. 

Of course the last set of 7 miles weren't better either.  They were all down hill.  I kept hoping Tricastella would come into view soon.  But it was a long slog and I think I got in by 1pm but couldn't find my hotel. I'm glad I had a phone. The owner came and picked me up. Here I picked a place outside of town.  But no worries. She made sure I even had dinner.  She took me to a restaurant she owned in town. My best meal yet.  Other hikes and cyclists stayed at her place and she made sure we all made it to the trail the next day. Now I call that great service!

Piedrafita dos Cebreiros - May 2016

Well today's the day to catch my bus to Piedrafita.  I figured out how to take the metro to the Madrid Autobus Sur station but not sure how to find the bus.  Once I got to the station I couldn't believe how easy it was and the bus was brand new.  So far this looked good. I'm suppose to catch this at 10:45 and get there by 4:25.   But I couldn't believe the number of stops we made.  I was starting to get worried that I would be late. And sure enough I got into the town at 5 pm. 

This meant I had at most an hour to get up this long hill and check in by 6.  There are only 4 places to stay in O Cebreiros.  I read how it is a long haul up this hill and I thought it would be better to sleep up there then do the walk in the morning.  Of course some people don't bother and just take a taxi.  Luckily I got to the top and my room was still available.  It ended up that all the rooms were filled. They had to turn some people away. The view at the top was beautiful. 

Picture of Albuerge Venta Celta

The start of my marker at 155km

Madrid - May 2016

Not sure it's been this way but the last few years I've been unsettled as a trip comes up. Worried about my cat, getting work done in time, packing and hoping my flights go well.  Well once again everything went as planned.  I couldn't believe how smooth my flights were. Even figuring out the Madrid metro was a piece of cake.  I got lucky again. 

Today was a day to just hang out and make up my sleep.  And that's what I did. It also gave me time to sort out how I was going to catch my bus the next day.  This time I stayed at Hotel Opera, just a block from the palace.  I think I paid $85 and it's a nice hotel in a great location. It's great have the euro in our favor again.  

So below are a few of my photos. One thing I wished I could have captured is level of craft on the streets.  As I waited to check in I watched these street artists get set up.  Some serious imagination here.  I don't know how the make a living.