We left Sarria at 8:30 am. Arrived at our hotel in Portomarin at 4:50 pm. Weather started out very cool but within a few hours, the sweatshirts came off.
13.8 miles today, and we’re still upright. Can’t wait to see how I feel in the morning.
Dinner last night was paid for by the tour operator I’ve used the last few years. It was the typical pilgrim dinner- choice of starter, entree and dessert, wine and beer. We’re familiar with that system and it was much appreciated. Left the server a nice tip, so he comped us a vodka shot on the way out. Pays to be kind 🙂
Out “hotel” in Sarria was the same apartment we stayed in 3 years ago. 3 bedrooms and two full baths, with a kitchen and living room. Very comfy.
Our hotel in Portomarin is also where we have stayed previously. I’m going to check our itinerary from a few years ago because we may be seeing familiar places all the way through. My recollection of those stays is positive, so it won’t be disappointing if we do get the same hotels.
Discovered I lost more than toothpaste on the plane to Madrid. Made a quick stop at a pharmacy before actually walking the Camino. Success! Replacements procured.
We remembered a lot of the route from our first year so we kind of knew what to expect. That makes it quite nostalgic and we feel just a little superior for having experienced this route before.
Lots of Americans on the road, and plenty of young teens. I think this is the kind of thing high schoolers in Spain do because it’s so accessible for them. They’re very energetic and quite loud. We take every opportunity to avoid them.
Keeping our energy up and taking our time. Food intake – breakfast, snack, lunch, beer break, ice cream break, dinner. It seems like a lot now I see it in writing. However, we are burning most of it off. I shall continue to rationalize.
This is quite a different experience from prior years. I think because we are familiar with this route (it’s the end of the French route we did year one) and because it’s only 5 days, I am deliberately taking it slower, listening to music and more observant of people and surroundings. In previous trips we have been more concerned about not getting lost and finding our next hotel.
It’s a gift to slow down and enjoy this with a new mindset.
Dinner tonight at a restaurant just steps out of our hotel. Pleasant, but nothing memorable.
I’m watching an episode or two of The Pit, and then off to sleep.
Til tomorrow …
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