We’ve walked many steps in the last two days. We are feeling it for sure. Today felt like two days in one. The first half before lunch was a mess but a fresh and clear one.
We slept in after a rousing night of snoring and in my disorientation I forgot to pack my passport bag. I didn’t figure it out until we were about 2 km down the road.
Kiernan valiantly volunteered to go get it and I sat while he sped back to save the day.
Chris and Michelle and mom passed by and we picked a place to meet for lunch.
Once Kiernan returned victorious we moseyed down the road through stone walls and stone barns and we met a dog who loved Kiernan. We saw some horseback pilgrims and chit chatted in small groups.
We walked down a lot off hill until we came to a resvoir that was made in the 60s where a town stood. They moved the important buildings brick by brick up the hill and flooded the rest. The town is called Portomarin.
It has a giant set of stairs going up into it and a beautiful Romanesque church that is also a fortress.
The pizza was great. We ate 4 of them and drank lots of water.
I felt relaxed and happy.
The whole next part of the day was much harder. Some of this was by choice. The Camino split here and we took the alternate route to avoid walking on the road. This path took us right up a mountain and into the woods.
It was steep and kicked our tails.
Michelle and Chris had purchased a big bag of those peasant woman chips for Kiernan so we had a good salty snack.
Moms water bladder wasn’t working . Kiernan’s feet were was tired from his extra dash to get the passports and it was HOT.
We walked together and apart for a few hours. There weren’t little cafes to stop at for rest and we walked by the toad a lot and we were by fertilizer plants a good bit. It was a slog.
It was also beautiful.
I gave mom half my water. I talked to Kiernan about Minecraft. My feet held out to the greatest extent and eventually we made it to our lodging.
I really like where we are staying. It’s very comfortable. The wifi is not stellar but the rooms and nice and it’s quiet.
There is no food though.
We decided to try to take a cab to the closest bar and get dinner there.
My Spanish is not up to taking a cab so our hostess called us one. Our cab driver was hilarious.
Google maps sent us to a random farm. She was calling her dad and complaining (he is her boss). There was much eye rolling and speedy turning. She actually managed to find the bar though.
We gave her a big tip and asked if she could come get us in and hour. She said no. We could not possibly eat in an hour. She would come get us at 9.
So we went to eat until 9.
We were so beat. Mom was actually disoriented. Michelle had reached zoned out. Kiernan had his head on the table.
It’s amazing what sitting and eating and being surounded by happy people can do. Hydration doesn’t hurt either.
We pet the big old golden retriever and ate fries and talked about how hard the day way.
We got soft flan like cheesecake and it cooled way off.
Our expected rain storm blew in with lots of chilly air. We moved inside for coffee and hot chocolate and to be away from the lightning.
At 9 sharp our cab came back (with her dad) and we piled in, between rain splatters. A block down the road it opened up.
We saw some poor pilgrims getting the worst of it then the thunder started with gusto.
By the time we got back to our place the storm was rattling the windows of the house.
We made it inside and abandoned thought of laundry for hot showers and warm blankets.
The ceiling of the upstairs bathroom started letting in water but it wasn’t too much and Chris put some towels down and I texted the hostess.
I went to bed early and slept like the dead.
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