Day 49 - Vilar de Barrio - 19.2 km

Weather: 11 - 14 degrees. Rain predicted
Clothes: the usual - but it’s not as cold so will see how I end up.

Rain, rain and rain
The early morning started out with no rain - which made it easy to get to the Bar for coffee and toast.
Then just out of town a drizzle (put on the rain poncho) and then for the first time real rain drops - then REAL rain - till midday.
But what a blessing that there was no wind and it’s quite warm. My glasses got wet and foggy so at one point I think I just walked through all the puddles instead of around them. My feet, shoes and socks were soaked - sloshing around in my boots. Eventually I took my glasses off so I could see where I was stepping.
And to top it all off most of the morning was a very steep uphill. Phew!!! But the scenery was beautiful - yet again. 😄
I finally got to the village of Albergueria where there’s an amazing Bar and Albergue in an old renovated building. The Bar is decorated with Camino shells with the names of the pilgrims that have passed through.
Hot chocolate and my first proper empanada, and I realised I could continue on to Vilar de Barrio. There were a couple of younger men stopping there to dry out as well.
I had given myself permission to stop here if needed but apart from being wet around the legs and feet, and a bit damp in the body (my poncho wasn’t as waterproof as I would have hoped in the heavy rain) and a bit crampy in one shoulder, I felt fine and with enough energy to do the final 7 km - down hill!
Another bonus was that rain had stopped and it looked like it was finished for the day. If it has still been raining I definitely would have stopped.
The last part of the walk was as beautiful as the first and it seemed no time at all before I reached my destination.
I had lunch (salmon with lovely baked veges which was a bit unusual) before finding the albergue and shared the washing machine with three French people who arrived just as I was putting some washing on.
Later one French man was doing some yoga in the afternoon which spurred me on to join him. I can’t remember when I last did some stretches.
The municipal Albergues in Galicia are pretty luxurious: brand new, solid bunks, warm, washing machines and dryers, kitchen. The only thing they don’t have is blankets so a sleeping bag is needed.
I finished the day having a drink with the French trio while they ate their dinner. They went to a little cafe run by an ‘old lady’. It was like being in her home kitchen - and the food was plain but excellent.
Tomorrow is a short day so absolutely no hurrying for any part of the day.

Buen Camino.

P.S. Last night the Taiwanese pilgrim at the albergue roasted some chestnuts she had collected along the way. They were delicious and the four of us - her friend Juan and my friend Juan and me - had a lovely night. The other two spoke English and my Juan got to have a long Spanish conversation with the other Juan rather than struggling with me in English.Baca selengkapnya