It was good to be walking again. I set off at 7.20am with my headtorch on due to the cloud cover blocking out the moonlight. The route today was country paths, a refreshing change from the roads.
It’s amazing how rejuvenated you feel after a rest day. I was racing past the peregrinos. I entered a wooded section and in the torchlight I could see two green eyes looking at me and weird bagpipe music piercing the darkness.
It was a dog sitting in the middle of the path, next to him was donativo stall. I picked up a banana and a stamp. After about 2 miles I stopped for breakfast. At this point it began to rain on and off.
The scenery reminded me of Cumbria, dry stone walls, fields of cattle and the rain. I passed through little hamlets and farmyards. About 15km in I stopped for a drink. George from Cyprus popped his head in the cafe looking for a bite to eat. I had met him in Fonfria.
I walked with him to Vilacha where we stopped for lunch. We passed the 100k mark however due a diversion I couldn’t get a picture with the iconic milestone.
After lunch George moved on so I tried Casa Banderas, the albergue Richard recommended the day before. I rang the bell and Dominique, the proprietor answered. I said “Richard sent me and that you may have room?”
There was! I booked in. It is a lovely, homely albergue with flags decorating the yard (Casa Banderas means house of flags). Dominique and her husband Ray own the albergue. They couldn’t be better hosts, welcoming, very friendly and making me feel right at home. Shortly after Arnica arrived; she too was impressed!
This is definitely a must stop! Later a familiar face arrived, Dominick from Germany and s few new faces booked in. At 7pm we all had a meal with proprietors. A true Camino family experience.
Stu's Camino 