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| Magnificent! |
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| a wooden sign in Cacabelos |
We made it into Galicia at last- land of pulpo(octopus) and padron peppers and music with bagpipes!
Thursday was a very long day's walk. We went through the big city of Ponferrada, which had a beautiful old castle structure. One thing that I have learned about seeing cities on foot is that they're pretty in the middle but walking through the industrial outskirts is never fun. By the time we reached Cacabelos, about 22k into the walk, I was having some leg muscle cramps. Knowing that the next day was the toughest day on the Camino, I opted for a taxi for the last 8k and the guys walked. We all met at the albergue in Villafranca del Bierzo, a nice town with four huge medieval structures, where I had my best shower on the whole Camino - 6 jets and two shower heads and water pressure!! It's the little things.
Thursday was a very long day's walk. We went through the big city of Ponferrada, which had a beautiful old castle structure. One thing that I have learned about seeing cities on foot is that they're pretty in the middle but walking through the industrial outskirts is never fun. By the time we reached Cacabelos, about 22k into the walk, I was having some leg muscle cramps. Knowing that the next day was the toughest day on the Camino, I opted for a taxi for the last 8k and the guys walked. We all met at the albergue in Villafranca del Bierzo, a nice town with four huge medieval structures, where I had my best shower on the whole Camino - 6 jets and two shower heads and water pressure!! It's the little things.
Yesterday, I sent my pack with a transport service for 7€ and was able
to walk to O'Cebreiro with the guys. This stage is the toughest not
because it is the highest but because the last 8k takes over three hours
due to intense elevation gain. The track is rough and rocky and switch
backed and frequent stops are necessary but you are rewarded with views
that are just spectacular. When you get to the very top of the mountain
there is a tiny village and that's where everyone stays. It feels like
Switzerland.
Mike's wife Maureen flew in from the UK and joined us. She said it wasn't easy to get up there.We had a great dinner together and were in bed by 9:30.
Today we came down the other side of the mountain ( which is harder than going up!) We are staying in an unremarkable town called Tricastela, but maybe we're just spoiled now by yesterday's views. We did walk through one little old tree lined village and came upon a table of little trays with freshly picked raspberries and currants and a box which said 1€ on it. We dropped two euros in the box and took two trays of berries and ate them while we walked. What a treat!
Tomorrow we will reach Sarria, where we expect to see many more pilgrims joining. From now on, we will book accommodations at least a day or two ahead.
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| walk to O'Cebreiro |
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| Into Galicia at last! |
Beautiful! Love the wooden sign!
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