Camino de Santiago | Jenny and Stephen's Travel Adventure

Posts tagged ‘Camino de Santiago’

Camino – Portomarín (Day 28)

Date: Tue 4th June
Distance: 22 km
Temperature: Warm/Hot
Mood: Cheerful
Left: Sarria 8:45am
Arrived: Portomarín 2:45pm
Santiago de Composela: 93 km
Highlight: Jenny in shorts!

As previously warned, the Camino trail does get busier from Sarria, this becomes more apparent when nature calls!

Again, the scenery doesn’t disappoint and we were again blessed with a sunny warm day in a region known for its high rain fall. The trail is typically lined with moss covered stacked stone walls and plenty of greenery. The birds were particularly chatty and provided a good sound track whilst we walked.

We passed through plenty of little hamlets most with appealing Cafes tempting us for a break. We finally succumbed for a nice cold icy Coke.

It wasn’t long before we could see the township of Portomarín, a lovely town which overlooks a large reservoir. The town itself was quite lively with many pilgrims enjoying the sun, eating and drinking.

Only 4 more days of walking, we have now passed the 100 km marker… perhaps we are getting a little sad as our journey draws to a close.

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Camino – Sarria (Day 27)

Date: Mon 3rd June
Distance: 0 km (Rest Day)
Temperature: Warm
Mood: Relaxed
Santiago de Composela: 115 km
Highlight: Jenny’s Birthday

The weather hasn’t disappointed for a relaxing rest day to celebrate Jenny’s birthday! What better way than to start the day with a buffet hotel breakfast. No need to eat for the rest of the day!

As always with rest days, it’s a good opportunity to catch up on some domestics, but we also needed to get new pilgrim passports (Credentials), as we had completely filled our original credentials with Sello’s (pilgrim stamps). So we headed for the 13th century Monastery for a new set. The Monastery is still in operation and part of the building has recently been refurbished and also accommodates pilgrims as an Albergue.

We also enjoyed a pleasant stroll around town which we finished off with gelato’s in the afternoon sun (we needed to try the Spanish Gelato’s so we can make an informed comparison when we get to Italy! – Anne, you better not disappoint!)

We are hoping to stow our wet weather gear at the bottom of our backpacks (probably wishful thinking in this region of Spain) as we head off on the final leg of our Camino.

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Camino – Sarria (Day 26)

Date: Sun 2nd June
Distance: 19 km
Temperature: Warm
Mood: Loving it!
Left: Triacastela 8:45am
Arrived: Sarria 1:15pm
Santiago de Composela: 115 km
Highlight: Easy walk

The weather has improved dramatically over the last few days and today was again blue sunny skies and temperatures in the low 20’s. Perfect walking weather! We have now entered the Galician region, which is typically wet and lush.

We were in no rush today as was an easy walk for a change (less than 20km). And we had another rest day planned in Sarria to celebrate Jenny’s Birthday!

We enjoyed another picnic lunch on the side of the path and before we knew it, we had arrived at Sarria. The walk was very picturesque with panoramic views (like most days!) and the change in scenery in tune with the region.

We enjoyed another Sangria and a chat with a couple from Scotland whom we have bumped into on a number of occasions. One of them told us of their stint holed up in a Burgos hotel for 10 days due to infected blisters! We have also recently heard from our Australian friends whom we left behind in Burgos when we took to the bikes and one of their party is currently suffering from shin splints in a bad way with strict orders not to walk for at least 5 days.

Stories like these are not uncommon on the Camino, so we count our blessings and think of those that are suffering. Both of us are bandage free and feet in excellent condition. Fingers crossed, they stay that way and from the guide books, the worst of the climbs and descents are now over.

Less than a weeks walk to go! We cannot believe how quickly the days go by. We cannot believe how many beds we’ve slept in and places we have visited! It will be a day of mixed emotions when we do finally arrive at Santiago de Compostela, but until then, we are enjoying the journey!

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Camino – Triacastela (Day 26)

Date: Sat 1st June
Distance: 21 km
Temperature: Warm
Mood: Loving it!
Left: O’Cebreiro 9:00am
Arrived: Triacastela 2:15pm
Santiago de Composela: 134 km
Highlight: Lush Green Fields

On top of the world? Awoke to a wonderful sunrise outside our windows with a soft blanket of white clouds below us and the tops of the mountains peaking though giving them the appearance of floating.

After discovering we had little cash due to our accommodation being cash only, we were down to our last Euro’s. We purchased water and breakfast and departed O’Cebreiro with 13c left between us, not knowing when we would see the next Telebanco!

We had expected a steep climb early in the day, but were pleasantly surprised with a gentle incline to the peak of the days walk. All downhill from here! Why is it when you have no money you feel hungrier and find more Cafes open than any other day?

We arrived at Tricastella by 2.15, cashed up (what a relief) and spent the rest of the day lunching in the sun (topping off lunch with a refreshing Sangria), socialising and visiting the local church – today we secured 4 stamps for our credentials!

Not many domestics to perform as we will save these for tomorrow! All in all, a lovely day made even better by the scenery, the splendid sunny weather and not being too exhausted to enjoy and experience the local sights.

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Camino – O’Cebreiro (Day 25)

A massive day was had as we both had to dig deep on all our physical and inner reserves to get us to the top of the world – O’Cebreiro (1350m). We were rewarded with a bath and spectacular views out our balcony windows. No Wi-Fi and a very tired blogger means you will all need to wait for a proper update and Photo’s within the next few days! We’re off to bed to give our weary bodies a chance to rejuvenate! (Mark, our chests are very hairy!)

UPDATED! (1/6/13)
Date: Fri 31st May
Distance: 30 km
Temperature: Warm
Mood: Fantastic (not so for last 5km)
Left: Villafranca 7:45am
Arrived: O’Cebreiro 5:45pm
Santiago de Composela: 155 km
Highlight: Room with view!

First up was a steep climb up and out of Villafranca with fantastic views back across the town. Morning tea was had under a canopy of chestnut trees before tracking down to the valley floor, a steep, rather rocky descent. We walked beside a river which wound its way through lovely little villages and a picnic lunch stop on an abandoned bridge with pleasant views of the river and shade from the heat of the Spanish sun.

After finally reaching Herrerias, one of many picturesque small villages with a beautiful new hostel/bar that looked very tempting to stop at for a week, we began our ascent, however we did not take the Camino path (by accident) but rather stuck to the road which was not as steep, but still a mighty climb. The road was slightly longer but a more gentle incline until we found the Camino path again some km’s later at another small village (Saba). With only 5km to go the incline kicked in severely. Nothing like having to dig deep. It was relentless and seemed to take an eternity particularly as we had already walked 25km. The reward at the top was amazing. We were on top of the world with 360 views.

Now we just had to secure our pre-booked accommodation as we were supposed to have arrived by 4 and it was now heading on for 6pm – the latest and most tired we had arrived for the whole Camino! Gratefully, we were escorted to our room, a delightful rustic Galician style room with French doors to a small balcony with million dollar views, had a quick bath, managed to get to Mass (unintentionally) and enjoyed a lovely dinner before retiring for the night.