June 4

Today we had a short distance to walk, only 10 km, because the path to Armenteira includes a very steep climb (about 450 m over a distance of a few kilometers). Mary and I set off for a local cafe to get our jolt of energy for the way. Our walk began meandering uphill through a small village that eventually transitioned into a lovely forest path. While it was a steady climb, we were both pleasantly surprised with how well we did. On the way, we met a very friendly man who lives in Scotland. We chatted with him a bit as we walked the last few kilometers into Armenteira and he joined us for a cold drink before continuing on his way. He bought us our drinks explaining he's trying to change the perception of the cheap Scottish. Lorelee, Mary and I shared a delicious lunch of tortilla and salads. We arrived at our albergue, a rather basic dorm accommodation with the issuance of a paper mattress cover and pillowcase typical when you pay ten euro for the night. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the monastery and the Pilgrims' Blessing during the evening.Read more