I’m not sure if I mentioned yesterday our farewell dinner with Alke and Patrick. It was decided that Paul would make a lentil dish, Patrick would cook pasta with vegetables and Alke would make a salad. So I went off and found a bar by the river – well, I didn’t want to get in anyone’s way! I returned just as it was ready to be served and it looked, and tasted delicious. And for penance I did the washing up. P and A have a flight booked home on 6 June so have loads of time to take a steady stroll into Santiago so we probably won’t see them again, unless I get to meet up with them after I have returned from Finisterre. We have exchanged contact details, so hopefully something can be arranged.
Today took us over the highest point on this camino at 1,364 metres.
The day started very fresh, and misty alongside the river. I stashed my walking poles for the first hour and kept my hands from freezing with my sock gloves. It was a pleasant walk alongside the water but walking through the dewy grass absolutely soaked my boots and I just knew that my feet were turning wrinkly inside my wet socks.
I hoped to find a hot drink at the first village of Terroso but alas no bar, but there was a very kind gentleman who was very keen to put a stamp in my credencial. A few km’s further on found a bar in Requejo de Sanabria where I took the opportunity to change into dry socks and change my insoles. I pinned the wet socks to the back of my pack to dry out and went on my way, heeding local knowledge to keep to the road rather than the actual camino, which was impassable in places due to the works for the new AVE train line.
There were quite a few km’s on a wide road, but with virtually no traffic, it being Sunday and there being a motorway nearby. I took the opportunity to divert back onto the original ‘way’ for a lovely walk through beautiful flowers and past raging waterfalls before reaching the village of Padornelo where I refreshed with a cold fizzy drink.
Then it was another stretch on the road before diverting onto a lovely path, albeit with difficult footing, through woodland and meadows until I reached my destination at Lubián.
The albergue here is very basic, with sixteen places in bunks, with only one bathroom, but good sized sitting area and kitchen. Luckily I was one of the early arrivals, preceded by the Korean/Spanish couple (still don’t know their names) who took a taxi part way, and a cyclist. So I got my shower in quickly before anyone else arrived. There are no pillows or blankets at this albergue and the mattresses have awful rubber covers. Arrivals before I wrote the above were two Germans guys, two Spanish guys (including the fab José Antonio) Paul, Dutch woman and K/S couple. Who knows who will be there when I get back.
It’s quite a sizeable village with granite and stone buildings with slate roofs.
I enjoyed the walk today despite the elevation, but the last couple of km’s, which I found difficult underfoot, left me feeling a bit tired.
Distance according to Wikiloc – 29.6 km
Accumulated elevation uphill 547 metres
Accumulated elevation downhill 415 metres
Total distance walked 1,084.8 km, average 27.1 km per day
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Loved all your photos brought back memories of my trip last year and wonderful to see Alke – we walked a couple of days together with Els her friend
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What a small world it is Marylin. Alke and Patrick were great company and I am hoping I might catch up with them in Santiago.
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Another lovely day Maggie. Sharing the meal sounds very friendly and in keeping with the spirit of the Camino. I keep meaning to ask have you seen the men with the dogs lately and how are they doing? One bathroom between sixteen beds seems a bit mean to say the least. gorgeous photos as ever. Buen Camino
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Mary, the last sighting was in Salamanca, and the dog had visited the vet and been diagnosed with an infection. I think the dogs had been strays in Spain, so were probably revelling in some attention and care. They said they were heading for the north coast to make sand sculptures during the summer and raise some funds to buy a car and continue their travelling
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Maggie, I didn’t have WiFi while crossing the Atlantic, well you could if you had deep pockets but I don’t even have pockets, and was way to busy during our short port visits. So I saved all your missed posts for reading in Roma. Wish I had your literary talent for telling stories. You paint a vivid picture. Oh and you take great pictures. Good eye. Buen Camino
Happy Trails
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Thanks Tony, dedication indeed to keep reading whilst on holiday. Thanks for your support. Hope you and your wife are having a fabulous time.
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Well done Maggie. 570 meter climbing is not a big thing in the Alps or Pyrenees, but there the distances walked in a day are much shorter. Compounded with the 29 kilometers you did a great performance today.
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Fun-tas-tic photos. Thank you. Love them all. Wet feet. Ugh. Even on your pilgrimage, they have these terrible solar ugly white thingies. Ugh. Can you hear them when you’re walking past?
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The wind turbines don’t seem too noisy Tess. I actually quite like them.
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When they arrived around our countryside, residents complained they couldn’t sleep. Hmm. Interesting.
They give me the creeps because they look other-worldly to me. Boo!
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It must have been awful walking with wet feet.
Dinner with your new friends looked great and mighty tasty.
Buen Camino
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There is nothing good about walking with wet feet Jan, but the dinner made up for the discomfort – especially as I didn’t have to do anything towards making it.
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Well done Maggie. Another good day.
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Such beautiful countryside!! That feast looked DELICIOUS!
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It was definitely good, healthy food Kristina.
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