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Published: October 23rd 2016
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Today was a day of contradictions; it was wet, really wet at times, crowded, and very uphill under trying conditions.....and I loved it. I feel like I could go on at the end of each day, treat hills as challenges to conquer, and the wet weather?, well everyone else has to deal with it too. When your body feels good I think it transfers to your overall attitude. Mind you, the body needs constant attention to stay good. I don't know how often I feel a twinge here or a pinch there, and stop for an adjustment or a stretch of some sort. I'm not going back to the painful days, I can assure you !
The day started off with a bang but that was just my head torch hitting the concrete before we even left our accomodation ( have I mentioned Martin Sheen stayed there? Of course I have.). This meant I had to walk behind John for a while, and with the aid of his light, try and avoid the small streams on the paths, puddles, and avoid falling over. We reached Santa Irene, 5.2kms, and had coffee and croissants, emerging to reasonable light, so walking became
easier.
I walked on ahead and passed through O Pedrouzo and stopped at Amanel for a quick drink, saw John who didn't want a drink, and kept going until Vilamaior, saw John again, who didn't want a drink again, and kept going until Monte de Gozo, 5kms from Santiago. I waited about 30minutes but as it was raining, I decided to push on to Santiago. I figured he must have stopped for a break so I'd catch up in the Plaza near the Cathedral. He had.
Most of the walk in the O Pedrouzo/O Pino area was through dense forests mainly populated but gum trees. The rain really highlighted the eucalyptus scent and I thought I had taken a wrong turn and had finished up in the Dandenongs. Very pleasant!
I walked alone most of the time, passing small groups, looking forward to the Plaza near the Cathedral . At one stage near Monte de Gozo I was approaching a small pod of pilgrims, my term, not widely recognised, and I thought I heard singing. Now, occasionally someone will destroy the peace with their brand of noise coming from a 'device', but this was different. These Ameri.....,
no, I won't identify them, these Quakers or whatever, were hymning their way to Monte de Gozo. Now, there are some things that should be left for late at night, or at least in the privacy of your own home; group hymn singing falls very much in this catagory. I'm more than happy for people to follow the Camino as a religious pilgrimage, but keep it private. That was about 15 minutes too much of kumbiyaing for me and so much more for others in range.
I found some great accomodation today for when we return from Finisterre next Saturday. It's at San Martin Pinario, an upmarket Hospedería. It's €23 a night for a single private room with bathroom, including breakfast; ideal. Just looked at the calendar and there seems to be days left at the end; maybe Muxia needs a rethink. We'll see.
Tomorrow is just a look around and a rest, but as we are in different accomodation, once we leave here for the day, we will have to take our packs. We can re enter the Plaza all over again; two for the price of one! Cheers
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
I also stayed at the San Martin Penario...
what a wonderful place to recuperate.