Day 24: Samos to Morgade

We had a Light rain at the start for a 6:25 am departure from Samos. Destination unknown at first. We had followed the diversions into Samos the day before and were troubled by the lack of trail description. It was hard going with slippery steep rocky downhills and abrupt uphills to the main road then straight back again to the river. In contarst from Samos to Aguiada the track went through endless soothing cattle farms. The cows in these parts are raised for meat. They are not dairy. I am sure the cost to milk using sanitary methods would be prohibitory. 

As we walked through Sarria we visit a farmacia for ibuprofen gel, anti bacterial cream. Anti itch cream. I got chewed up by bed bugs several nights ago. Then on through the city. We found a church door open and is our habit we spent a moment of reflective prayer for those dear friends we have and those who have gone West. We stamped our credentials. We passed a monastery alongside another lovely church. Joan checked to see if it was open. As she touched the door handle, the door opened suddenly. A white robed Padre surprised us and said to come in and told us how to enter the church. Upon trying to stamp our credentials several times, we found it worked better when the cover of the ink pad was removed. 

To avoid problems in Santiago, It was suggested for us to get two sellos, credential stamps, each day. A source is the open church. To receive a Compostela, you have to have walked at the very least from Saria to Santiago (100Kms). Many additional people are contending now for the small albergues along the way. Today we called ahead and reserved a bed at the most charming family albergue, Casa Morgade. Excellent food and views of the lush green country side from every window, not to mention the shower and sheets. Tomorrow we are off early for Hospital 15 miles down the trail. 


Stu

View from Casa Morgade

May 8

Samos to Morgade

We woke to rain. On this whole trip we have been in the rain for less then an hour. Today most of the morning we had rain.   It was a light rain and not cold. We were all bundled up in our panchos so we were warm. Reluctantly we decided to take the long country route, concerned about mud. It was a beautiful and fragrant route. The path was dirt or gravel and easy to negotiate. It was a lot of uphills but no traffic with the exception of cows coming up the street with the dogs controlling them as the farmers gave us advise and info about the camino. You walk past rivers and farms and lots of flowers. We finally got to Sarria a  big city.   It is Monday and everything was closed but we explored the town and found an open farmacia. Our favorite hang out. We have spent more money on pharmacy goods then booze. We started out of town after visiting a couple of churches.  We ran into some Itialian men we know and had a bit of a reunion. The walk through the hills was green wet muddy and lovely. We passed a lot of people and I became concerned. Our goal was Ferreiria an old black smith town. The only accommodations is an Aulberge that has 20 beds.  It was 1 by then and we had no idea how many people left Serria this am. We had 2 hours to go and we had already walked for 7 hours. We stopped at a bar for a coke and I decided to call a private cafe that had rooms and reserve 1 in the next town. I said we would be there in an hour  I called Casa Margade about 6k away. Once again the path was loaded with people. They all looked tired. Stu and I flew over the path to arrive at a wonderful spot. A charming hotel with hot shower delicious food and a charming room with views from every window. Once again we walked 18 miles  Tomorrow we will walk a shorter distance to get to a town early to ensure we can get in. A lot of the albergues have only 20 beds. This is a big starting point so there are lots of people. We tried the Torta de Santiago. It is delicious lemon and almonds I think.  

Joan


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We are writing on a giant double bed eating potato chips & choc cookies

Name:		Samos-Morgade
Date:		May 8, 2011 6:10 am
Map: (valid until Nov 6, 2011)		View on Map
Distance:		18.3 miles
Elapsed Time:		6:18:23
Avg Speed:		2.9 mph
Max Speed:		12.4 mph
Avg Pace:		20' 38" per mile
Min Altitude:		1,404 ft
Max Altitude:		2,165 ft
Start Time:		2011-05-08T04:10:58Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	42.732791º N
	Longitude:	7.325008º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	42.782279º N
	Longitude:	7.521197º W