Day 38 - Sarria - Portomarin - 9 October, 2014

Time Departed: 8.30 am

Time Arrived: 2.45pm

Distance: 23 kms

Cumulative Distance: 696

Percentage Complete: 87%

Weather: Cold, cloudy, patches of sunshine

Accommodation: Pousada de Portomarin

Feelings: Henk - Good, Neil - Eager, Di - Content

We passed a major milestone today as we have less than 100 kms to go. When we reached the 100 kms marker stone in a lovely shaded lane we stopped and took photos of the much-graffitied marker. At every half kilometre now there is a marker so we can count down the kilometres to Santiago de Compostela. 

There were noticeably more walkers on the path. At breakfast we met two Aussies from Perth (ex Liverpool), Kathy and John who were starting today. We were expecting rain and although it threatened to rain a few times we were fortunate to arrive at Portomarin dry. 

It was an enjoyable walk as we frequently passed through many little villages, farm complexes and clusters of stone houses. There was a heavy rural smell for most of the day.  A lot of the path was between dry stone walls and in oak woods. 

Just before lunch at Ferreiros Neil spotted a dramatic fungus growing just off the path in a sheltered wood. A couple of others joined us to take photos. 

We enjoyed a longer lunch as we sat outside in the sun. 

One Canadian woman who started at Pamplona because she didn't have confidence in her ability to go over the Pyrenees arrived at a nearby lunch table. After arriving at Santiago de Compostela this Monday she was keen to go back to St Jean Pied de Port to complete the first part. 

We passed many granaries made either of brick or wood. These are known as horreos and are common in the area. They are raised from the ground on pillars so rodents do not eat the grain. 

Once again there were cattle in the fields and the movement of them on the minor roads. We had to get off the road at one stage as a farmer walked her stock back to the sheds. 

The walk after lunch was an easy downhill one. We had to walk across a very high bridge crossing the River Mino and climb some steep steps before walking into Portomarin. 

The town was shifted in the 1960's to cater for the construction of a dam. When the water is low as it is now the old bridge and the remnants of buildings can be seen. The Church of St Juan of Portomarin which was originally designed as a church and temple was moved to higher ground brick by brick. The bricks were numbered and these numbers can still be seen on the outside of the church. 

We met Aussies Meredith and Phillip in the foyer of the hotel and spent a lovely evening at the hotel's restaurant.