Changes (Sarria – Portomarin)

Sarria was a great city and gathering the final 3 (Rick, Paul & Becky) was like a shot of adrenaline. They were excited to be in Spain and joining the Camino. We were happy to see them.

Stayed up later than usual, our Hostel was very nice, the Pension Aqua Sarria. By 10, it was bedtime for the veterans.

Sarria was preparing for the celebration of Corpus Christi, the were decorating the streets with flower decorations, we got to see them as we left very early.

Out in the fog again ann as usual, immediately started a climb out of the valley. Don’t know if the newbies expected it or not but the all handled it well.

Good day in the overcast but a lot of up and down. It became a hard day in the last 3-4K as the sun burned through it got hot fast. All of Spain in experiencing above average temps, again.

Santiago Weiss

Portomarin is an interesting city with a beautiful example of a pure Romanesque Cathedral. It was hard to appreciate the city in the heat.

Mi familia Camino

Our Albergue, Ulteria is nice and friendly but stifling hot and apparently some dog took a giant dump which managed to waft into the Albergue, I apparently was the only one who missed it. Great first day for the newbies no parties tonight.

Last 100 K (Sarria – Portomarin)

Having met up with Rick, Paul and Becky, we were out early on our way to Portomarin, first day for the Newbies who were all anxious and ready to go, Paul’s a little slow moving in the morning but our daily early morning climb will wake him up.

Mostly flat today but there are some small hills. It’s me, Paul and Becky out front, L & R and Rick and Ann who’s nursing a sore Achilles tendon, unfortunately my knees warm up and stop hurting until I stop, her tendon does not.

Approaching Portomarin along the river, there’s a long bridge across what is now a lake and up above you can see the Cathedral which is where were headed, it’s always on top of a hill. We climb the stairs up into the new town, the old one was flooded constantly so they moved it. It’s hot again today and we find some shade and a beer as we waited for the others.

As we’re coming in, I spot the Canadians who’s path we cross regularly. Our albergue is the Ultreia is nice and clean. Time to do laundry and air dry, it’s so hot, that should not take long.

We gather in the shade of the cathedral and hang out, Alex joins us and tonight’s family is in place.

Mi familia Camino