James Altham

Adios Sarria – El Camino Day 21

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Forecast for today was clear and sunny again with a foggy morning. We had 26kms to get through today.

We left the hotel at about 9:30 this morning. The hotel is in the background of the image to the right.

A man standing on a walkway near a hotel, holding a tablet, with a scenic view of trees and bushes in the foreground.
A misty pathway lined with trees, covered in fallen leaves, leading through a tranquil landscape.
A foggy road surrounded by trees with autumn leaves on the ground, creating a serene atmosphere.

Heading out of Sarria.

A foggy morning view with a raised highway above a gravel path, surrounded by foliage and trees.
The bypass above and a rail track on the left
Foggy landscape featuring a narrow path alongside a railway, with trees partially obscured by mist.
We follow the rail track for a little while
A foggy forest scene with trees and fallen leaves, featuring a small wooden bridge over a stream.
Creek crossing
A misty path surrounded by trees with autumn leaves covering the ground.
Ent territory
A foggy morning scene on a rural road, lined with trees and grass, leading into the distance.
The mist is hanging around
Three smiling hikers standing together in a foggy landscape.
Time to pose with a fellow Korean pilgrim

We were going uphill for a good part of the morning but not uncomfortably so. It was easy walking.

A scenic rural road lined with trees showcasing autumn foliage, featuring a mix of green grass and fallen leaves.
The sun is starting to come out. Yay!
A winding road surrounded by autumn-colored trees and foggy fields, depicting a peaceful rural landscape.
Praise the Lord!
A foggy morning scene along a rural path, with fallen leaves on the ground and trees lining the way.
And again!
A gravel path lined with trees and a fence, under a clear sky, with autumn leaves scattered on the ground.
And again!
A hiker stands on a stone path beside a stream, surrounded by autumn foliage.
Photo bomb
A scenic walking path lined with trees during autumn, featuring a small stream flowing alongside, with fallen leaves covering the ground.
Creek Crossing

So my feet and body are now used to the daily walking. I don’t have any problems and haven’t had for some time. It was probably the very first week that it was really tough but obviously the body has now adjusted to the daily regimen. Most likely when I get home I will have some adjusting to do to not walking each day. I am getting a little cramping happening in my left foot though. Hopefully it will pass.

Two men standing together on a rural road, one holding a walking stick and wearing a colorful scarf, with green fields and trees in the background.
Ron with a old farmer

This guy asked us to pray for him in Santiago when we arrive. We said we would. He gave each of us a walnut.

A serene country road lined with trees showing autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.
Back to bitumen

It really was bliss walking through this landscape today. Sun was warm, sky was blue and the atmosphere was so peaceful. Hard to believe it was a winters day, it was so pleasant and civilised.

A hiker stands beside a milestone on a trail, smiling, with a backpack and trekking pole, surrounded by autumn foliage.
Close-up of a stone marker with graffiti, indicating 'Km 100,000' on a Camino pilgrimage route.

We hit the 100km mark today. Only 100kms to go. Mixed feelings about it but a good achievement. 💪😊

A scenic rural landscape featuring a grassy field with several cows grazing, framed by tree branches and distant hills under a partly cloudy sky.
Beautiful farmland
A scenic landscape featuring rolling green hills, a blue sky with wispy clouds, and a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees in the background.
A solitary figure walking along a tree-lined road surrounded by lush green fields and stone walls, with a bright blue sky above.
A pathway winding through a vibrant green landscape with autumn-colored trees under a clear blue sky.
A winding dirt path surrounded by autumn foliage and a stone wall, leading towards green fields under a blue sky.
A scenic view of a rural landscape with green fields, a distant hill, and trees displaying autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.
A picturesque path lined with trees and stone walls, covered with fallen leaves, creating a serene walking environment.
Scenic path winding through a grassy field with trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A serene rural landscape featuring a wire gate surrounded by stone walls, with colorful autumn foliage and grassy fields in the background.
A scenic walking path lined with moss-covered stone walls and autumn leaves, under a clear blue sky.
Four hikers walking down a rural road surrounded by greenery, with trees and hills in the background.
Our Korean fellow pilgrims
Scenic view of a road bordered by trees and greenery, indicating a peaceful walking path.
Scenic landscape with a dirt path winding through greenery, framed by trees and rock formations in the foreground.
A countryside road with a stone wall on one side, fields and trees in the background, and a tractor parked in the grass.
A serene path through an autumn landscape, lined with trees and a stone wall, with fallen leaves covering the ground.
A scenic view of a green field with a distant village nestled among hills, under a clear blue sky.
The town of Portomarín
Scenic road winding through green fields and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Our descent into Portomarín
A narrow, rocky path flanked by moss-covered stone walls, leading under a wooden bridge in a serene landscape.
Watch the footing here!
A large bridge spanning a river, with buildings visible on a hill in the background under a clear blue sky.
Dark water and height issues here

The afternoon sun was keeping us warm as we made our way into town. This last stretch was a little precarious down an old track.

This bridge we had to cross was very tall with a narrow walkway next to a rail that wasn’t very protective. I don’t normally have issues with heights but as I was carrying a backpack and was a bit top heavy I felt a bit weary walking over it.

A scenic view of a river meandering through a landscape with grassy banks, rocky outcrops, and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
View from the bridge
Welcome sign of Portomarin, featuring large stylized letters against a backdrop of trees and a building.
Home for the night 😊

During the day along the walk we had an elderly priest invite us into his church for a visit. We obliged and knelt to say a prayer and had our Camino passports stamped by him and signed his visitor book. It was so good to see someone so devoted to stand out on the road in the cold to invite strangers in to say hello to our Lord. All the other churches bar one have been locked and closed. During our visit Ron left his Camino passport and Australian passport behind only to find them missing when we booked into our hotel at Portomarín. We figured we’d need to backtrack tomorrow in a cab and find him to get the passport back. Last night we prayed we’d meet the Lord in our final days of the walk and as we were sitting in Portomarín for dinner in a restaurant planning our cab ride back some locals asked if we were Australian and that a priest had given them a passport to hand into the local Police station at Portomarín. We discovered we’d had our prayer answered and we’d met the Lord.

Looking forward to more encounters.

For stats and a map of today’s walk you’ll find them below.

Buen Camino 😊

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