We are reaching the end of the mountains and entering the land of rolling hills. The climbs are
less extreme but over the length of a day, the climb adds up. Today we climbed 153 flights
according to my phone, the third largest climb of the trip. It was, however, made up of
numerous smaller climbs. There was one though, that when all seven of us pilgrims walking
together reached the peak, packs were dropped for a well deserved break. Once we got
going again we came upon a bar only 300 metres down the road. We of course stopped again
for drinks and ice cream bars. One thing we have all learned is that the Camino is not about
the walking; it is about the stopping to rest. Stopping to take in the views, stopping to
investigate an old church, stopping to talk to donkeys, and of course stopping to talk to
pilgrims, those we know and those we have just met.
Maya
Maya is a teacher from Belgium we met at Cafe La Derna. This day she had started in the
wrong direction. She has also walked Camino Del Norte.
Francisco and Swame
Francisco and Swame are a young couple from Canry Islands. They started their camino in
Grandas da Salime.
Javier
Javier is from Madrid, Spain and has walked 17 caminos. He started walking this one in A
Fonsagrada.
Troy
Troy is from Nova Scotia, Canada and is walking the Primitivo. We have stayed in a couple
albergues with Troy and this day, he returned a pair of socks, Mark mistakenly left behind. He
has walked one other camino and enjoys the physical challenge.
We are now 130 km from Santiago de Compostela, the destination for most Caminos. Many
walking with us have never been to Santaigo and are getting excited. Those that have been
are excited about returning to familiar place and getting to celebrate our accomplishments
with friends.
Now that the Primitivo is becoming less challenging, our mileage will probably increase so it
looks like four or five more days. That is if this extreme heat lets up. It was 30 c today by the
time we reached O Cadavo Baleiro, a farm town that is home for the night.
Mark and I had an authentic Menu Del Dia meal late this afternoon. I had Galician cabbage
soup, Spanish cod, rice pudding, and wine. Mark had Spanish rice, chicken copacha, and
chocolate cake. 18 euros each. Tomorrow we reach Lugo, the first city since Oviedo. The heat
is supposed to break with forecasts of light rain. At least us Canadians are looking forward to
some cooler weather.