Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Day 27 Walking and Talking Day

portomarin where they saved this church from the waters of the reservoir and rebuilt it in the town
Rural scene on the way

Portomarin to Palas do Reis ( 26km)

We set out in the morning dark and navigated back through the town by torch. Fortunately, pilgrims came from everywhere and it was a bit of a procession.
There seems to be more and more pilgrims. One lady said she had walked the same time last year and there were not many at all. It may have something to do with the Holy Year next year( The feast of St James falls on a Sunday) and they are expecting masses of pilgrims.

The path was steep as it climbed and skirted mountains, but again quite beautiful.
About half way we were overtaken by Ian and Anna from the Gold Coast Queensland. They have walked the whole Camino. They have taken a year off to vist their working sons in London and family in Ireland. Ian knew a mutual aquaintance, Jeff Kemp, who is a schooll counsellor I know from St Michaels on the coast.
So we spent all the time in ¨shooting the breeze¨ while Betty talked to Anna who is finishing a counselling course. The kilometres sped by and we did not stop for a break for 4 hours when we suddenly rolled into Palas do Reis.
They are a bit albergued out like us so we both booked into a really nice pension.
So it is 65km..about 3 days to go.. It is all good going but the Gallacian rain is upon us and we will probaly doing a rain dance for the next 3 days.
We can´t complain as we have had great weather. Ian and Anna were caught out in the open Meseta in driving rain and hail. I hope the Gallician rain is soft and sweet.
We have lost track of Canadian Bob and it would be nice to catch up in Santiago. We ran into magnus last night( re chhristened Magnum by Ian) He did camp out for a night in a field near our Farm stay. he lit a small fire he said but he must have been very cold as he is travelling very light.
The WAGS we saw today and after two terrible Albergue stays they booked into a private albergue in Portomarin and the owner went off to church and didn´t open for anyone so they had the place to themselves...fully deserved.
Hoping that tomorrow won´t be too bad walking as we are so close now that I could jump in a taxi and be there in an hour....
If you have stayed with the end of day tired commentaries on this blog( plus all the typo errors) much thanks.
I can feel a Santiago coming on!!!!!!!

3 comments:

  1. Hey Jim and Betty

    glad you are well following your walk with great interest see you soon

    your little brother Ben

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  2. Hi Mum and Jim,
    Sounds like you had a nice day, great to have a good chin wag.
    Love Al

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  3. Dear Jim and Betty! So near to santiago already! You have earned it! I am reading that the climb last week went well. Hope your feet and legs stay in shape. Wishing you again a Happy and Safe Camino! It must be great to walk into Santiago soon! I wish you all the best.
    Greetings from Holland. Hedwig.

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