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Published: April 14th 2009
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P1030536 - Trail to Caldas de Rey
Misty rain made the trails tranquil and peaceful Santiago de Compostela (Day 7) Camino Portugues from Pontevedra to Caldas de Rey (21km)
Pontevedra to Caldas de Rey
Today, I must have been reborn. According to Cr and J-jo I was now 'Rusa' or the two 'Russitas' referring to Au and myself. I did not like it much and don't know why but anyhow it stuck and now I don't mind it so much. I then named Cr 'Franco' because of his moustache.
Today's first half of the trail was quite cool with the odd drizzle, and as usual we began in darkness and later it was overcast. We did good timing and by 10-12km we rested few minutes by a picnic area with a 'cruzado' and an old communal washing trough. Here we ate some morning tea of fruit, bread and nuts. Stopped at 0830 in a cafe to have breakfast (J-jo sitting on outside bench and line of eager hungry walkers sitting at the bar) Photo.
I began walking with Jq, we put on our rain gear as it began raining softly and it did not stop until 1pm, we arrived at our destination at 12md. I lost Jq soon after as he is a very fast
P1030526
Antique washing trough, communal meeting places for the women of the town. Used cold mountain waters. walker and I was on my own for a good couple of hours, stopping a few times to take photos of the trail and hoping some of the others would catch up soon and that I did not take any wrong turns. The following scenery was gorgeous, with rich fields of corn, grape vines, vegetable, chestnuts, as well as sheep and chickens. Some of the trail went through canopies of vines etc.
It was about the time I was taking some photos that some of the other did catch up and we all walked together into Caldas de Rey.
On arrival we had to wait a few hours again till the albergue opened, so again we made a file with our backpacks. I was very hungry and bought a hot tortilla sandwich and also some fruit at a local deli. I also tried tinned Pulpo or octopus and calamari al American.
Quite some time later Au and some of the others arrived, Au was suffering with quite a lot of Achilles tendon pain. During the first hour of her walk she had changed from her boots to sandals which alleviated all her pain except her calf, but had to
P1030534- Breakfast time
Looking tired and it is only breakfast time change back to her boots when it had began raining.
On this day, everyone was tired about half way with aches, pains or blisters except Ta who had arrived by bus and she had been waiting for us.
The albergue was new, it was actually the priest's home which he had remodelled to suit walkers needs. Father Ralf arrived at 1600 after he had done his many churches services and he invited each group as one to hear his speech about rules and our welcome as guest of his house (Photo). He requested I send him a photo, which I did later. This albergue was by far the best so far and I slept very well. I visited a very hot spring and soaked my feet, it was so hot that it took many attempts to just dip my toes but eventually I managed to get both feet in (Photo) and I rather liked it as it helped alleviate my calf pain as well. It felt so good I repeated the proses that evening. Apparently it has a lage amount of mineral, and its benefits are well known around the towns.
I visited some of the surrounding churches and the
old parts of town as well as the old bridge (Bermana).
I tried mejillones, fish, oven bread and some typically prepared octopus in an ancient bar, where Cr tried to kiss me while Au took a phot to make Lc jealous (Photos).
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