Time Departed: 8.15 am
Time Arrived: 2.45 pm
Distance: 25 kms
Cumulative Distance: 721 kms
Percentage Complete: 91%
Weather: Fog, cloud, cold then sunny
Accommodation: Pazo de Ludeiro
Feelings: Henk - Good, Neil - Good, Di - Good
Breakfast is more crowded since Sarria with the extra walkers. We caught up with the Perth couple Kathy and John who said they had a good first day. We set out in the dark as it was very overcast.
We had an initial steep ascent out of Portomarin and the higher we climbed the more we walked through either mist, cloud or fog. We weren't sure what it was. It was pleasant walking with visibility significantly reduced. The cloud didn't clear until noon when blue skies appeared.
Today and tomorrow are longer days and these are the times when we think of how to plan the walk to keep a positive approach. Today the little cafes were well placed for our breaks. At eight kilometres we had morning tea and we were very pleased with our time even though the majority of the walk was climbing. The cafe was very busy. Aussies Kathy and John and Meredith and Phillip were also there.
We had tasty Torta de Santiago (Cake of St James) which is a speciality of Galicia and is the region we are now walking in. The tart has an almond meal base with an icing sugar topping and the Camino Cross marked out. It's origin apparently goes back to the Middle Ages.
Peregrinos are constantly adding tokens such as stones to kilometric markers, growing cairns and memorials along the way. A couple of times we have come across ever-growing stone circles as the peregrinos go past they add another stone. The last time we saw this was at Artapuerca on Day 16,
We walked by acres of eucalyptus forests which was strange. Apparently, in the 1800's a Spanish priest who moved to Western Australia thought it would be a good idea for his home region to have gum trees growing for furniture and other purposes. It was not successful but the trees have adapted well and are now considered a problem.
After a half hour break for lunch at 12.30 pm we had an enjoyable downhill walk of eight kilometres to Palas de Rei. This is quite a large town. Henk rang our accommodation so we could be picked up. We had to wait fifty minutes outside the town hall until our host arrived. By this time we were cold and stiff. We should have gone to a cafe but didn't want to leave our post in case our host arrived.
Our accommodation is impressive and is 13 kms out of Palas de Rei in an isolated farming area. The guest lounge was very warm due to the large fireplace. It was relaxing sitting by the fire and having a drink before dinner. Our host roasted chestnuts in the fire and we had great fun opening the hot shells. We loved the chestnuts.
We now have three days and 66 kms to go. It's all going very quickly.
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