May 23rd Saturday

 Today was the day of our first walk. Started with a great breakfast at our lodging. Talking with other Camino walkers. One from Southport NC. And then out into a light rain to start a 15 miles walk. Well not really a walk. There are some steep hills that hurt going up and coming down. But the scenery and people one meets are fantastic. 

Now let me say something right away. Gary T and I walk at different paces, so he forges on ahead and I plod behind. We are both OK with this. That is how the Camino works. So I am now going to post the photos I took on the first part. 

Beautiful Moss Everywhere

These cows will make great Galician beef

One of many small shrines. 

Making the famous Galician octopus for Camino Walkers

More beautiful moss. 

I had this section all to myself. That was probably because I am one of the slower walkers and most people had passed me. I am fine with that.

First glimpse of Portomarin. It was a lot further away than that. For me it was a bridge too far. To say I didn’t suffer on the last three miles would be a lie. But I persevered, rest a lot and finally made Portomarin. 

So I get there and am confronted with all these steps. Another long rest before going up them. 

This friendly cat felt sorry for me and kept me company during a rest just before I met up with Gary. The cat would lay down and then roll down the cobble stone road. That’s how steep it was. 

After dinner alfresco we head to our hostel. At dinner we met a group that had formed as they walked the Camino. One was from Hawaii, carried a ukulele and sang a beautiful self composed song of Hawaii that brought back memories of Peace Corps training. 

Good night