O Pais Dos Mil Rios
- Dad
- May 31, 2018
- 2 min read
We had perfect weather today for the 23.0 km (14.3 mile) walk through the rolling hills, forests, and towns of Galicia. The rain in the forecast continues to delay until mid-afternoon leaving our walking hours dry. A comfortable temperature in the mid-to-high 50’s, clouds and good visibility make for a great walk here in Northwest Spain.
With just a handful of days remaining to Santiago we’re in great shape and cruising through what were difficult distances just a couple of weeks ago. We’re both ready to, as Ruby Sue from Vacation says, “have our house parked in the same place” for awhile. We’re looking forward to returning to family and friends, and not having to re-pack for the next town each morning.
Only two days into Galicia we can both tell we’ll miss this place, with Ben already talking about his return. He mentioned today, while we were hopping across rocks next to a country stream, that he’ll be thinking about this place when he’s back in the grind at UW in a couple of weeks.
We had a bit of a hill to climb leaving Triacastela, up through San Xii and then across green hills and pastures, covering 12 km to 2nd breakfast in Pintin before 10am. From there it was a pleasant downhill walk to Sarria, a much larger town than we expected.
As I mentioned yesterday, Sarria is the first large town outside the 100 km Camino qualifying perimeter of Santiago, probably the largest starting point for the Camino Frances. Walking into town there was at least one Camino souvenir or hiking gear store on every block. “This kilometer of the Camino is brought to you by refreshing Coca-Cola!” we joked. Sarria was almost empty, however, when we stopped in for lunch at Noon. The day’s new pilgrims had certainly already started their strenuous downhill 110 km journey before we arrived. But I had expected to see more people than we did. There’s hope perhaps.
We had taken our Guide Book’s advice not to stay here and walk a few kilometers past town to Barbadelo for the night. This took us past Iglesia de Santa Marina and impressive 12th century Monasterio de la Magdalena, and across a beautiful old Puente on the far side of Sarria.
There’s not much to see or do here in Barbadelo, but we have a comfortable (almost resort style) room for the night and what looks to be a solid pilgrim’s menu coming our way. And we can toast the completion of Day 29 with a vino tinto. That will suit these haggard and hardened pilgrims just fine.
Buen Camino.
beautiful countryside !
Richard - we haven’t stopped at the streams but many do, to douse their feet. It’s recommended, but we’ve not done it. Once my feet are warmed up and taking me along the Way I tend not to mess with them. Maybe we’ll do it once here at the end.
Pete - I hadn’t thought to bring a stone home to replace the one’s we brought but I like that idea too. Will have to be small we have no room left in the packs.
Will you both be bringing home a stone from your journey to replace the ones you brought from Ben's Beach?
And for all of us, please, do keep your toenails in a museum somewhere far from here...
Do you ever stop and plunge into one of the rivers or streams?
Wish I had a cat.