40 kms to go.

I know that I haven't posted for days. It has been a busy and long time.  I walked 32 kms into Sarria and it was a gorgeous walk

but the last couple of hours were really hot and long. We booked a new Albergue deep into the old city and it was a really long way through the city to the Albergue.  We were very tired but had the place to ourselves for several hours.  We had dinner close by at a nice Italian place with some of the people we have connected with. We left early in the morning but still managed to get coffee before hitting the trail. We also had the best croissants there as well. They were fresh baked and whole grain.!
The trail to Porto marin  was nice but a couple of kms longer than anticipated. We have been booking Albergue's ahead each day as the trail is busy and my walking partner, Birgitta is sending her pack ahead each day. she has Tendonitis in her leg so has to walk without extra weight. I sent mine ahead yesterday as a treat. It was nice but I sure  noticed the extra weight when I carried it today from Palas de rei to Ribadiso. Lots of up and down today and almost 28 kms. The map says 25 but it lies! Beautiful Albergue in a small village on a river.

Birgitta and I were in need of a rest stop and couldn't find a good one so we made a bench out of a pine log, tromped down the stinging nettle and sat.  Took our shoes off and had our bananas.  We are a sight!

Coming into Portomarin is a test.  These stairs in the heat just make you want to cry.  

but we made it to the Albergue.  Pretty hot and tired though.  I felt so sorry for a tiny asian lady.  She was hot and tired and kept asking us if we knew where the albergue was.  Well, we were all a bunch of pilgrims who were sitting in the shade waiting for the gumption to take the next steps to find our bunks.  None of us had any idea where it was. She kept going up and down the hill.  I tried to get her to stop going down as she just had to come up again but she couldn't understand.  I saw her the next day and she looked all right.  I was a bit relieved.

  The yard and building is lovely but the bunks are a bit wobbly. I'm on the top one tonight.  Only one more albergue before the hotel in Santiago.
This has been a difficult challenge every day.  Each time you think that the next day will be easier, some challenge arises from the distance to the ascent or descent or the surface of the trail or the temperature. It's never easy but then you arrive at the destination, get a bunk, have a shower and lie prone for a while after a bit of food and all is well again.  Going to look for some dinner always results in a gathering of some of the people you've connected with and great discussions of the walk or life. It's hard to describe the community that develops and becomes so supportive. I'm going to miss the easy and flowing relationships.

40 kms to go and 2 hot days forecasted so we will be out of here by 6 am to try to get to Pedroza by noon tomorrow.

just a view of my legs and feet after the walk today.  The knee wrap has been helping and the road rash is from the descent into Portomarin a couple of days ago. I managed to slip on the tiny gravel on top of the rocks.  Nothing major, just looks nasty.