Considering this was meant to be a hard day, it really wasn’t despite it being 30km. Perfect weather conditions and fantastic scenery made it a pleasant day.
Breakfast was at 0800h, so it was a very late start, especially for a 30km day. It had rained during the night to refresh the air and the skies were clear when I began the day.
The route slowly ascends giving better views of the Galician region with every step. Tree covered mountains and green fields filled the valleys. Until ‘A Ponte de Arante’ I walked with Judyta, who is celebrating her birthday today – great way to spend it on a Camino!
The little chapel to the Virgin Mary at the hamlet had centuries old drawings on the walls that have been exposed by removing the plaster. Some were a bit odd, there was a skeleton archer?!
Elliot had caught us up and from here it was the biggest ascent of the day, which again was a walk in the park. Elliot and I pulled head with a good pace.
The mixture of country roads and soft gravel forest paths continued, around 10km in, we were getting hungry, but all the bars were shut or the kitchen was closed. After a quick drink at San Xusto we continued onto Lourenzá, a small town that should have amenities – but their kitchens were closed!
With 7km to go I pulled on ahead wanting to get to Mondoñedo asap. It was a pleasant walk through the Galician countryside in glorious sunshine but without the heat.
I arrived into town to find there is a horse fair, one of the oldest in Spain. Outside the cathedral a procession of horses herded into to the square. A huge crowd had gathered to see the show, and the riders were interviewed.
Before the crowd the dispersed I joined my fellow peregrinos for a meal. Samual, John, Elliot, Judyta and Karel from the Czech Republic – he was in the albergue last night.
With full bellies we returned to the albergue. Tomorrow we’re doing a stage and a bit to stop an albergue that is highly recommended – but there is a bit of a hill to conquer first.
Stu's Camino 