July 21st. At the risk of being repetitive - and oh so
boring - I have to say that, today, I had another beautiful walk - this time in
the Montes de Galicia. Early this
morning when we left O Cebreiro we were high above the clouds. We began with a short trek down the valley to
Linares and then continued on through Hospital de la Condesa and up to the Alto
San Rogue at 1270m. This was an
unexpectedly steep climb but well worth the effort as the view from the top was
spectacular. We had one more steep climb
to the Alto de Polo, slightly higher at 1335m (4380ft), also offering us
spectacular views. The rest of our 22kms
walk wound around the mountains both up and down (mostly down) to the lovely
town of Triacastela, where we are staying tonight in the Casa David! I feel so privileged to be able to walk this
walk and every day I think to myself that there is really nowhere else I would
rather be right now...
We have noticed that the food in Galicia is quite different from the food we were often offered earlier on our walk. Today I had wonderful vegetable soup with potatoes and kale followed by a lovely warm green bean (i.e. kidney bean) salad - a very welcome change from some of the tasteless food we had been served earlier. If I seem obsessed with food it is because so often I arrive in a place, hungry, after a long walk, only to find there is simply nothing on the menu that I can eat! Spain is a very meat/fish-oriented society - quite often offering things like pig’s trotters, tripe, brain, tongue, and so on - food that even Roxanne will not try! Even something as simple as a mixed salad always comes with tuna - which I have been told many times is not meat (sin carne) and not fish (sin pescada). I am not sure what it is, then, but I will not eat it!
Tomorrow we head for Sarria, the place where hundreds, maybe thousands, of people begin the Camino in order to walk the 100kms required to receive the Compostela (certificate)! I think our peaceful walk is about to end!
We have noticed that the food in Galicia is quite different from the food we were often offered earlier on our walk. Today I had wonderful vegetable soup with potatoes and kale followed by a lovely warm green bean (i.e. kidney bean) salad - a very welcome change from some of the tasteless food we had been served earlier. If I seem obsessed with food it is because so often I arrive in a place, hungry, after a long walk, only to find there is simply nothing on the menu that I can eat! Spain is a very meat/fish-oriented society - quite often offering things like pig’s trotters, tripe, brain, tongue, and so on - food that even Roxanne will not try! Even something as simple as a mixed salad always comes with tuna - which I have been told many times is not meat (sin carne) and not fish (sin pescada). I am not sure what it is, then, but I will not eat it!
Tomorrow we head for Sarria, the place where hundreds, maybe thousands, of people begin the Camino in order to walk the 100kms required to receive the Compostela (certificate)! I think our peaceful walk is about to end!
Hello Wendy, it sounds like you will be sad when your walk is finished in a week or so. The walk you described today sounds beautiful. Glad that the food is improving. How is the weather? Here on Allumette Island it is very hot. Ottawa River is low and warm. Wishing you an exciting last week on Camino. Vera
ReplyDeleteHi Vera: Yes, it will be a little sad when the walk is over but since Sarria it has not been the same - too many people. Also, the terrain over these last kilometres is not very inspiring so maybe it is time to end. I am not sure what I will do after the walk. I may go to Finisterre (on the bus) and then go back to France (or Germany - Berlin). I would like to go to Saint Petersburg but I don t have enough time. I have to be in Paris on August 2nd as I have a hotel reserved for two nights ready for my return to Canada on Aug. 4th. The time seems to have passed very quickly.
DeleteEnjoy Allumette Island!
W
Hi Wendy, haven't been able to comment on your blog on my ipad even when I wanted to. Trying this on my "real" computer. I've enjoyed your travelogue and descriptions of the route. Sounds like staying in hotels is the way to do it! I'm impressed with your stamina - how much gear are you carrying on a daily basis? Your trek must be almost done. Great feat!
ReplyDeleteHi Kerstin: great to hear from you. Yes, two more days and we will be in Santiago. Read my note to Vera to see what I might do next!
DeleteHope to see you in DR later in the summer.
W
congratulations Kerstin. You did it! The blog is posted.
ReplyDeleteYep, a good old-fashioned desk top computer is still nice to have. And Wendy, when are you thinking of coming to Deep? Let me know in advance so I can check schedule etc. Have a nice rest of the trek! Kerstin
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