Lugo to O Burgo - a day of road walking

We left Lugo at about 8.15 - a bit later than usual for us but as we were anticipating a relatively short day of about 21k we didn’t hurry.
To rejoin the Camino we walked through the city to the Cathedral where we picked up the arrows again. The path took us steeply downhill out of Lugo, across the river Miño and then along side it for about a kilometre, passing the Club Fluvial de Lugo with pools (empty at the moment) and tennis courts and on the city side very attractive looking bars and restaurants.
The path then took us up and away from the river and quickly into countryside. The way was mainly along quiet roads but it was hard and rather tedious walking. For the first time ever on a camino I put my earplugs in and listened to an audiobook. There were odd moments when the route dived off the road and into woodland which was much better and immediately much more interesting with birdsong and plants to hear and see. But the majority of the day was along the roads and it did not bring me joy!!
There were not a lot of services on this stage but after about 10k there was a super vending machine spot with a coffee machine producing very good coffee, food vending for the desperate (I wasn’t!) and a very clean toilet for which everyone seemed grateful. This was really the only spot to take a break until near the end of our stage in a tiny hamlet called San Román where there was a friendly bar serving drinks and bocadillos - a large cheese and tomato baguette for €3.
It’s been strange today with a whole bunch of new people - no English speakers - and because of the stages we are now doing between here and Santiago it’s unlikely that we will see these people again tomorrow or possibly again ever.
I think we should pick up some new Frances travellers after Melide but then it’s only a couple of nights to Santiago so unlikely to be long enough to form friendships.
The place where we are staying tonight, O Cruce do Burgo is a newish hotel with an indoor swimming pool. Still geared up for pilgrims with dinner starting early at 7 but the indoor pool is very welcome - weather is too cold for outdoor swimming today.
Had a lovely swim in the pool followed by meeting the local donkey - Cebollo - who is extremely sweet and brayed hello after trotting over to see me. Made my day!
Food excellent! Having an early night now. Seem to have an infected ear so hoping it won’t get worse as don’t think there will be a pharmacy tomorrow -
I’m relying on good old savlon at the moment.Baca lagi