Into Galicia

I'm now at O Pereiro in Galicia. It was a bit of a haul too. I'd thought of staying at an earlier village, only to find the albergue was closed. 

 

Today began overcast but warm and the camino was directly up the road to the first pass, Padornelo. We'd been advised to take the road as the trail was badly flooded. A bit boring really, but almost no vehicles and a fairly constant gradient. I went through a tunnel and then followed the road down to the town, where I had a coffee break. The pass was 1310 masl. Not huge, but high enough walking!

Then the trail carried on through oak forest. These seemed to be abandoned farms - the way was often boardered by ancient stone walls. I wonder if this was the original road?

 

Often these lanes were bogs and difficult to cross. And then it started to drizzle. I arrived at Lubian - a beautiful stone village. Amazingly the old stone church was open. They had Gregorian chant playing. Talk about an oasis.

 

 As it was only 11.30 it was too early to stop. I found the supermarket (a country store really) and got something for lunch; bread and cheese and some fruit. The checkout lady told me at the place I was heading for the albergue was closed, so she rang another place - where I am now - to check the details. Very kind.

 

Sanctury of Our Lady of Tuiza

I sat outside for a bit, drinking a coke and up came a guy I'd passed earlier. He was a pilgrim and was walking with a dog. He told me he set out two months ago from his front door! He'd found the mutt and adopted him, which meant he had to camp out a bit as most albergues wont take animals. 

 

Off I went towards Galicia. Up and up again, this time on a woodland trail. There was plenty of pig sign, whether wild or domestic I don't know. They'd completely obliterated the trail in some parts, but I eventually found a yellow arrow in each case. The rain increased as I finally topped the last hill. A stone announced I was in Galicia. 

 

I guess it's quiet apt it was raining - Galicia is the celtic part of Spain. In fact the countryside reminded me of Ireland! They also speak another language here too. 

 

Onward I trudged to O Periero to the hostel where I'm staying. Only to find it's not on the Camino, but at least 1.5km up a side road. Oh well, what's a few more metres? Today was something like 37!!! Too much really, but there's few options. Dinner now and then bed!

 

Galicia's importance? Santiago is here. 218km to go!