Last night after I wrote the blog the village was hit with a huge thunderstorm which brought heavy rain. Obviously us two brave adventurous types managed to brave the downpour to walk to a local bar to get food.
The morning was dry but shrouded in mist. Apparently this is a regular occurrence for many pilgrims along the way but it was the first time I had experienced it. Views of the distant hills were obscured but it was a pleasant morning nonetheless and as we climbed out of the village. We were met with pockets of eerie solitude interspersed with moments of stunning clarity as the sun burnt through the enveloping cloud.
The trail had split as we left Tricastela and given the option of a hill or a flatter walk (plus 6km) we decided the hill was the way to go.
It was quite a steep climb (in sections) but once we crested the top it was a very pleasant downward path. I ended up walking with an American (ish) girl with bags on her feet (long story) and we passed the day chatting as we ambled toward Sarria.
In Sarria I met up with Randy, my walking buddy disappeared into the traffic looking for an albergue and Randy and I found a bed for the night.
It feels kind of like a wake up call hitting Sarria.. still a way to go but it’s definitely a sign that I’m an on the home straight. The day’s of being up a mountain 240km from anywhere are long gone and I’m heading toward the end of my walk. I kind of wish I could carry on.. Portugal is an option. It’s 250km to Porto airport and I’m counting every penny to see if I can squeeze another couple of weeks… Finisterre is also an option but it doesn’t quite hold the same appeal, I don’t know why not. Maybe it’s time I accept that the walk is coming to an end? Maybe I find a way to walk to Portugal.. it feels nice that Portugal would put me over 1000km but I still have a week to decide so for now it’s plod on and see what’s around the next corner.
Buen Camino!
A Camino Adventure 
Love it Andy, thanks for the top I think I take short and hilly too. As for the rest… Am starting to feel the same way. Buen Camino
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What makes someone American-ish?
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American but been living abroad for a while… I guess still American but I was writing on my phone in the sun and it was too difficult to explain 🙂
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The last 110 km, what an accomplishment!! My 2 cents, I would imagine walking the Portuguese in reverse is a bit awkward and very few pilgrims do. It’s damn near impossible to develop the kind of free flowing relationships that you’ve come to enjoy going with the flow. If you have a desire for more, give thought to either busing to Porto and walking or busing to Oviedo and do the Primativo.
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Hello again Andy,
Loving the blog. Tell me, re wordpress, do you get all these features with the free level of service, or do you subscribe to another level? I am thinking of using this blog program for my own camino, starting sept 4…
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I’m using the free version. I found it had more than enough features without upgrading 🙂
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One of my big surprises was how addicting the walking became. I still walk a lot.
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Wow Andy is this the same guy who took 5 hours walk to Orrison then 9 to walk to Roncesvalles now thinking of carrying on to Porto?Go for it buddy. Good job !!!
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Oddly enough I didn’t feel “done” when I reached Santiago. I continued on to Muxia and Finisterre and only that then did I really feel like my way was complete. I loved Muxia.
I envy you being able to do it in one trip. American vacation schedule meant I had to take 3 years (2012-2014) to complete the entire route. Someday I hope to get enough time to do it all in one go. I’ll be making some more short journeys before that day comes.
Next month I’ll be starting again, just one week from St Jean. I’ll have my sister with me this time. I’m looking forward to our adventure.
Enjoying reading about yours too!
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I still have a week to decide so for now it’s plod on and see what’s around the next corner.
I think you have your plan. See when you get there. Porto to Santiago is a fine walk, I loved it. If you are short of spandulicks, have you no friends or relations you could tap from???
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Had a a small chuckle… you are not ready to be done walking yet. This walking stuff seems to have agreed with you
I thought finisterre was lovely and heard mucus as well. For us it really seemed to “conclude” the pilgrimage. That said daughter loudly announced “no more walking!”. We did think there were a lot less facilities , bars villages etc, on that stretch.
Hope more walking is in store so we can continue reading th blog
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You are doing so well, and should feel very proud of yourself! Make peace with the fact that the Camino from Sarria onward is a whole different Camino. Congratulations on your accomplishments! It is not over yet!
This evening I celebrated the end of my Pamplona to Ponferrada Camino in Barajas, near the airport, with pizza and vino tinto.
Mary Lynn
Waterloo, Ontario Canada
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I thought finisterre was lovely and heard mucus as well. Predictive text? Hilarious.
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