Another gorgeous day. It started off with rain and I started off as soon as there was a bit of light. I evidently started with all the eager beavers that I don’t normally see because they were moving! It was nice though even though they passed me so fast my hair was flying, they were close enough that I could see which way to go without worrying. The view below was a hint that it might not stay rainy, but I was happy with the rain.
Again, clouds of mist, I’d start to get a photo and within seconds the whole scene would be covered. The rain was wonderful, soft, easy and never impacted hiking and I was perfectly set up for temperature and rain. Love my oh-so-light rain pants.
This path below was striking because it was so red from the pine needles. Sadly, that’s because the moss was attacking the trees, but it made for a pretty and really soft trail. I do notice the sections that are soft.
This was the Hospital de Montouto, originally built in 1357 by Pedro I the Cruel (maybe trying to redeem himself?) and the main refuge for pilgrims on this section of the route. I’m guessing it was beautiful. The pool above had a channel going away and to, indicates constant water. Summer found a link and the woman wrote more about this: Built in 1357, then moved to another site and rebuilt in 1698, on this spot (because the trail shifted) and was used up to the mid-20th century. Amazing!
While I was here, I was with a group of Spaniards from Barcelona, cheerful, happy to be chatting nonstop and they were so nice. I walked with a few of the women, chatting back and forth in English and Spanish. One of the women led all of us up to this spot behind the Hospital. She was talking about how old it was and sacred. Summer found the name: The Pedras Derelitas attributed to Neolithic times. The women with us who knew the most said that there used to be a top stone that was covered with sod to hide the spot. This is where sacred treasures were hidden to protect them. They took my picture and then asked, “don’t you want a picture with your compadres?!” Oh, of course!
The sun made a brief showing, long enough for me to take off my rain pants and rearrange, then it started really raining. Luckily, I found a shed/barn and went in and changed again. Then at the end of the downhill, I saw this cafe – Casa Meson. Oh, such a happy site. The only place in 15 miles between the two towns, and man, the guy running it could move. I’m pretty sure every single person stopped here to warm up, get a drink and something to eat. I had cake and hot chocolate and was very happy indeed.
Then the sun really did come out and the rest of the walk continued beautifully. The round house above is the mark of Galicia. They are Palozza’s, round huts made of stone and in the old days, topped with thatch.
I don’t actually know why today was supposed to be a “leg wrecker.” It took 8 hours total, but was very manageable and none of the up or down trails were horribly rocky. I walked in silence the first 3 hours, then in between chatting with a few others, I listened to “House by the Cerulean Sea.” It was a really fun walk!
Reb's Walks! 