Eirexe to Boente

After a pretty good nights sleep (I was totally exhausted) we were up again at 5.30 but as the albergue had a kitchen we were able to make proper coffee so started off with a bit more of a spring in my step. I don’t need food first thing but coffee is a great help.
Again we were walking in the dark and the mist. It wasn’t cold but was very humid and the trees were dripping so much it sometimes felt like rain.
The first 7k to Palas de Reí went by fairly quickly. Not a lot to remark on and not too taxing.
Stopped in Palas de Reí for coffee and toast but kept it fairly short in an attempt to beat the crowds that were already forming at various points in the town. We passed one huge gym where hundreds of young people had clearly been spending the night on mats. Did not envy them or their carers!
On from Palas de Reí along narrow paths in gently (mostly) undulating countryside. At one point soon after Palas de Reí we passed an extraordinary group of people pushing wheelchairs. At first all I could hear was very loud music - which is not my thing - but when I saw what they were doing I was awestruck and moved to tears. They were pushing big kids with disabilities up steep rocky paths - singing and dancing as they went. It was amazing (see videos).
On and on we went, a long one today, until we got to Furelos where I was hoping to have lunch at the lovely little veggie restaurant near the church that I went to last year. Unfortunately it was closed. Very disappointed I moved on to the close but fairly unlovely town of Melide where we did find tea and a bit of food as well as a supermarket. Bought cherries as have been having withdrawal symptoms. Not as good as the ones from Cacabelos but probably better than most you can get in the UK.
Then on again through the woods towards Boente, passing the little organic food stall I went to last year (she makes her own Santiago cake and coffee and raspberry liqueurs). Delicious again.
The albergue is okay - pool empty sadly and right by a busy road. Not quite as good as other recent places but fine.Læs mere