Day 28 Santa Irene-Santiago

May 12 

Santa Irene-Santiago  

It took a while to get here but we made it. As you walk the final miles you think back on all the people you have met We met people from Ireland and France, Germany, England, Croatia, Iceland, Spain and Brazil. We met people from Korea, Scotland and Serbia and of course  Italians and even some from the US. Some spoke English and some just a bit. We walked many miles with some. Once our paths crossed we were friends and English or no English they would hug and kiss us and always ready to help if we needed it. An experience that will be hard to forget We secured a place to stay got our compestello and went to mass in the Cathedral.  Stu is planning our walk to Finisterre that is after his nap. 




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ImPerfect track. Misjudged charge

Name:		Santa Irene-Santiago
Date:		May 11, 2011 8:29 pm
Map: (valid until Jan 1, 2012)		View on Map
Distance:		14.5 miles
Elapsed Time:		4:39:35
Avg Speed:		3.1 mph
Max Speed:		4.9 mph
Avg Pace:		19' 20" per mile
Min Altitude:		789 ft
Max Altitude:		1,294 ft
Start Time:		2011-05-12T03:29:18Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	42.917075º N
	Longitude:	8.332250º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	42.879664º N
	Longitude:	8.544096º W

  

misc photos

Stu in mist by the Embalse de Belesar

Pretty web

Sharing the camino

En route to Melide

Leaving Melide

Stu thankful for his walking poles

misc photos

Samos to Saria

Stu happy in the AM

Monastery in Samos

misc photos

Bed too short

Stu's leg...ouch

In bed writing

Melide cemetery

Day 26: Ventas to Melide

the prettiest church on the camino leaving Ventas

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Name:		Ventas-Melide
Date:		May 10, 2011 5:52 am
Map: (valid until Nov 6, 2011)		View on Map
Distance:		16.5 miles
Elapsed Time:		5:28:13
Avg Speed:		3.0 mph
Max Speed:		14.8 mph
Avg Pace:		19' 50" per mile
Min Altitude:		1,331 ft
Max Altitude:		2,375 ft
Start Time:		2011-05-10T03:52:51Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	42.844258º N
	Longitude:	7.747446º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	42.914719º N
	Longitude:	8.011386º W

Day 25: Morgade to Ventas de Naron

At the albergue in Ventas

May 9. Tues


Morgade. To Ventas de Naron

We  spent a  pleasant evening in our small hotel. We left early and walked through a small river which was our path. A big black dog possibly a lab befriended us along with his buddy, a small white dog. They led and followed us for quite a while leaving behind us a cacophony of barking dogs. We walked to a large lake that was covered in low lying fog and then over a bridge to Portomarin, a large city. From that point on we walked up a gentle slope crossing in and out of pine forests and playing hide and seek with large roads and traffic  We passed no churches only a couple of bars and no stores. There was also a string of people. Not unpleasant but different. We miss the sound of the birds and the river and the sight of the white tail deer jumping into the bushes. Defenitely not a reflective atmosphere. We were going to stop at Hospital but the albergue was at the corner of 2 busy roads. We went on to Venta de Naron to a small converted  rural home. There are 8 in a room for 10 euros. We had a large mixed salad when we got here and later a tuna empanadas  both delicious. Today is sunny and warm so we washed our clothes and they are drying in the sun. We stopped early after 14 miles to ensure we had a bed and time for  the clothes to dry.  

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Name:		Morgade-Ventas De Naron
Date:		May 9, 2011 5:53 am
Map: (valid until Nov 6, 2011)		View on Map
Distance:		14.3 miles
Elapsed Time:		4:42:49
Avg Speed:		3.0 mph
Max Speed:		7.6 mph
Avg Pace:		19' 49" per mile
Min Altitude:		1,132 ft
Max Altitude:		2,340 ft
Start Time:		2011-05-09T03:53:07Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	42.781996º N
	Longitude:	7.521506º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	42.844172º N
	Longitude:	7.747645º W

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