8 Hours To Cross The Mountains Yesterday And No Problems. My Dream Is Becoming A Reality.

[sandyRoe]

Should I keep all fingers crossed that it flows gently?

[Togo]

Well done again Sandy, an easy 5 hours tomorrow as long as you don't frequent all of the bars along the way( I would and would probably crash and burn). I don't know if you have your Pilgrim's Passport but you can pick one up in Sarria at the Monastery of La Magdalena. You are about to pass through 21 towns and villages on the road to Portamarin which sounds suspiciously like Portmeirion here in N. Wales. You will definitely not need carry food or water. Look out for the blacksmiths shop at Ferreiros who was known for the services to pilgrims for nails studs in boots and shoeing horses that he provided. I will keep popping in and will look in early tomorrow as well.

[EDDIE51]

Over 700 replies now! Is this an AB record?

[marval]

You have done really well Sandy, I hope this wonderful journey will stay with you, and give you some peace in your life.

[Mamyalynne]

Eddie - in number of replies this thread is in no way a record, some have reached thousands and may still be going who knows?

But in terms of reaching so many hearts and minds I think this thread is in a class of its own.

[twix123]

You're going well Sandy and we all hope that you find the peace and happiness that you deserve.
Tomorrow the route has a steady climb, rising 250 metres, before dropping back down to Portomarin. The weather is set to be mostly sunny and pleasant at 23c, but the country roads and paths are mainly tree lined so should offer some shade.
Are you still meeting up with your same companions each evening or are any struggling to make the daily distance that you are covering?
If you're aiming to reach Palas de Rei on Thursday there are at least 7 Albergues, but remember to book in advance due to the number of pilgrims that will be doing the final 100 kilometres to Santiago.
Take care and be safe.

[sandyRoe]

The dawdling led to drinking and I'm not as able for that as I once was. A pint coming in off the trail is one thing, a night, or regular nights, on the booze quite another.
I'm travelling alone.
The next booking after Portomarin is Melide, a whopping 40 kilometres, and after that Pedrouzo. Compared to the 40k on the previous day the 33km to there should be easy enough.
If all goes according to plan I should be walking into Santiago on Saturday. That'll be a walk of 21km.

[sandyRoe]

I should have added there^^^ that nobody ever twisted my arm to force me to take more. Temptation is best avoided.

[jennyjoan]

tomorrow is another day Sandy - you will feel better for it. goodnight. x

[BristolPilgrim]

Hi Sandy, do you fancy those three whiskies you mentioned in Santiago?

[naomi24]

//Temptation is best avoided. //

"I can resist everything except temptation." Oscar Wilde

[sandyRoe]

I went into a small roadside bar today and asked for a bottle of beer. The young woman who served me wouldn't take the money and I thought she meant I should pay when I'd finished. When I did go back in and put the money on the counter she uncapped another one.
The first had been a gift. I must have been looking tired, which I am, or in need of a drink. Whatever her reason it was a nice gesture.
I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew tomorrow setting a 40km target. The 25km today from Sarria to Portomarin seemed plenty far enough.
I'll see how tomorrow goes but I wouldn't be surprised to see myself rolling into Melide in a taxi.
Bristol Pilgrim, there'll be twelve glasses waiting for the laggards on the bar of the Parador in Santiago when they arrive.
The first four will contain delicately flavoured Glenmorangie, the middle four the darker, peatier tasting, Laphroaig, and the final quartet, honey sweet Drambuie.
Maybe I'll just stick to fizzy water. ;-))

[sandyRoe]

Naomi, that's another thing Oscar and I have in common, then.

[jno]

the record is I think held by various Harry Potter threads 10 years ago, but it may be this is a record for a thread about a living human.

[Togo]

Hi Sandy, I did hope that you were not flaying yourself for no reason, that would have been a big trek after 3 weeks of walking for a 20 year old. When you set off from Portomarin and decide to take a cab, the best places, in order that I name them are, Vantas de Naron, Eirexe, or Portos. Between the last two named is a place called Ligonda, but I doubt that you will find much there as it is terribly run down. Do get a rest, as you will no doubt get a huge adrenalin rush as you get nearer to Santiago and will want to enjoy the final stages with justifiable pride and humility.

[anneasquith]

Please take care Sandy, good luck tomorrow, I don't know ,women giving you free cigarettes and now beer, I suspect they find you quite charming with your Belfast accent. :-)

[marval]

You are doing so well Sandy, take it easy tomorrow.

[twix123]

Don't overdo it tomorrow Sandy, although the road is not too undulating and the weather should be a pleasant partly cloudy 24c.
I thought 4 of the glasses should contain your native Black Bush!
Take care.

[AB Editor]

I'd just like to say, again, what a wonderful read this is Sandy. Thank you for keeping us updated.

[sandyRoe]

Passing an albergue this morning an American woman called out that there was coffee, a stamp for the pilgrim passport, tea, and toilets, available inside.
I said I could use three of them and in I went.
It's a place run by Christian volunteers on two week rotas. The present staff are all from somewhere in the USA, Colorado maybe, or Arizona. She did say but I've forgotten, being in something of a hurry to get to the toilet.
Another mentioned that a man had been staying there recently who's been on the road walking the various Caminos for nine years. While he could have had bed and board volunteering in various places I can't see how he finances the rest of his time moving around. Perhaps he's on a pension.
That certainly put my feelings of being all Caminoed-out the other evening into perspective. I think it was just that I was tired and I mentioned to another pilgrim that I'd be glad when this was all over. I added if I could have gone home then I'd have jumped on the plane. But a good night's rest and a filling breakfast and I'm ready for another 30km, or so.
I mentioned to the man who was running the small hotel where I stayed on Wed night that the 40km I'd envisaged for today would be too far.
He suggested a taxi to Hospital da Cruz, cutting 12km of hilly going out and leaving me with a manageable 30km.
This was a family run business and the driver turned out to be his 85 year old father. He's the same man who collected me from Portomarin centre, the hotel's a bit out of town, when I phoned early on Wed evening.

[anneasquith]

You did seem a wee bit weary the other day Sandy ,I wonder if that is normal at some point for most participants ? Good luck tomorrow, take care Anne.