Day 42

The morning is beautiful as we head out of Sarria, the views over the city and the narrow winding cobblestone streets.

As I leave Sarria, today I felt like I was walking the City2Surf at home. It’s a charity run/walk with thousands of people some in costumes, some walking in teams and there is live music on route.

There is a lot more noise than I am used to with people walking in big groups, talking, singing, listening to music there are groups with matching outfits, Spanish teenagers perhaps from school or sporting clubs. There is a group of Irish girls who even have match braids. I feel like I am in a St. Trinian’s film.

The Way is pretty with farming land, little villages narrow paths old forests and interesting structures at many of the homes. These are used for storing corn I learn from another pilgrim.

I passed the 100km to go way marker, a fellow pilgrim shouts out would I like a photo! Feels like a momentous occasion.

I start chatting with an American he is part of a family of 4, two sisters and their husbands they have just started, today is their Day One, we chat as we walk then they stop for a break and I push on.

Looking for a place to stop for a break later in the day, an apple and some dark chocolate in my pack, there is an old timber shed, seated inside are the French couple I saw the deer with before Trabadalo we sit together and via google translate chat about the Way and travel, I say as we leave I will see you on the Way, you can’t get rid of me!

Portomarin is a pretty place on a river. My Alburgue has 130 beds and lucky me one of the big Spanish school groups are staying here. They are actually quiet and not a peep after lights out.

I go out to find some dinner, I bump into the 4 Americans from earlier in the day, they ask me to join them for dinner we have a great evening, he is an retired Anglican priest his wife a History teacher, lots of interesting discussions about St James and the history of the Camino.

Back in the dorm and all is quiet, surprisingly the woman in the next bunk to mine had one of those white hydrating face masks on, I hope I don’t have nightmares tonight!

Today I saw a group of people riding to Santiago on horseback. This is a group tour, if you are comfortable on a horse a great way to do the Camino!

Distance walked 22.1km

Total Distance walked 683km

Elevation 660m