A Year Long Pilgrimage

This post comes with a warning.   I have heard such wonderful music, I wanted to share it with you.  Enjoy. I love Santiago.  It is such an easy city to get around.  The old town is lovely,  but even the newer, more commercial part of the town has an energy about it.  I also love how easy it is to "bump" into someone you know.   The Cathedral from Alameda park In this time in Santiago I have met Heather, from WA, a very early member of the Australian Friends of the Camino. I'm member number 50 (only because I was slack filling in the form), and she is member number 75 and we have been corresponding on and off since 2010. I have met our Camino Chronicle editor, Alison, and her 2 friends, and while waiting for the lift, I met Rex and Zorka, early committee members who I haven't seen for about 5 years. Then there is Larry and Sally who I had a coffee with before leaving last year, encouraging them to walk under their own steam. They heard I...

From Botos I made my way, in the intermittent drizzle, 17.5kms to Silleda.  Thankfully the drizzle eventually stopped, but my umbrella was constantly going up and down, and because it was so unpleasant weather wise, I have few photos. I actually made my own way for some of this day, rather than following the map and signs.  At one point, after coming down a steep hill, the path was in close proximity to the river, and after heavy rain overnight I didn't like the chances of it being mud free. Instead, I took the road bridge over the river, meandering on various tracks until I reached the waymarks again. Igrexa de Santa Baia de Donsión The old railway bridge in the distance, and the road bridge I chose to cross instead of following the River (and mud). Ponte Taboada Despite the weather, it was a lovely day.  Quite ethereal at times, with the path wandering through forests, but not far from the main road.  At A Laxe, I passed the rather large Xunta albergue.  This...

From Ourense, after crossing the Rio Miño over the Roman bridge, the day began with a VERY steep climb.  There were two options and whichever one was taken there was a steep climb.  I opted for the steepest climb - because it was a kilometre shorter!  Nonetheless, the day was still 22kms in length. Leaving Ourense on the ancient bridge  Crossing the Rio Miño  The point for decision making. I went left . Scenes from Ourense. On the other side of the Rio Miño, as I was leaving Ourense, i passed this church.   It had a Templar cross on its door. Apart from having to deal with cars on the busy road leading out of Ourense, and then up the steep climb, it was a pleasant day.  I left as early as I could as the forecast was not good and I could think of nothing worse than having to work hard uphill for about three kilometres with a raincoat on!   I was headed towards Cea, a very old village, and very Galician with lots of stone.  Once up t...