From San Salvador the trail winds it's way through oak forests - the trees are stunted somewhat, I guess by hot summers and cold winters. They're just in bud, but you can tell they're oak because of the leaf litter.
The way passes through some narrow stonewalled lanes that are flooded and often muddy. I've had water in my shoes. Did I mention that my Merrell Moab Ventilators have developed a large ventilation in the toe? I'm rather annoyed as despite this rather obvious manufacturing failure Merrell demands that I return them to Bivouac for any refund. I'd have said that any hiking shoe that doesn't last 1000km is faulty. And I have to find a replacement, size 46.5 and a wide fit. I've been advised I might get something in Puebla de Sanabria.
From time to time I get a glimpse of the hills we need to pass to get to Galicia. On the hills I could see villages. In one I passed through - Remesal de Sanabria - the King of Spain, Fernando, the Catholic, met with his son-in-law, Felipe, the handsome, both with their respective armies to decide who would be the boss. Fernando had the bigger army so he got to be the big chief! It's a quiet, almost empty village now.
So I wasn't prepared for the first glimpse of Puebla de Sanabria. I came up a hill and there it was, dominated by its castle.
Best of all I got some replacement shoes. And they mostly fit! They should get me to Santiago.
After a celebratory sandwich and beer, I decided to press on. I had passed the albergue on the way in and didn't want to retrace my steps. So I staggered onto Requejo de Sanabria. This town lies just below the first pass for tomorrow. And who should I run into? The French couple who I thought I'd left behind. The husband sheepishly confessed they'd taken the bus. Not the done thing for real pilgrims! I couldn't care less how they do their pilgrimmage.
Animals spotted today: a rather lethargic snake. It's either pregnant or had just fed:
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