Camino Portuguese Day 13

Yesterday afternoon we were watching what looked like a tractor inspection in the parking lot by the albergue. All small tractors, not like the big ones at home.

Then we went to a Pilgrim Blessing at the Monastery. I read this story in my guidebook:

“The Cistercian monastery was founded by a knight called Ero in the 12th century. According to a popular legend, Ero went for a walk in the woods one day and came upon a bird singing so beautifully that he fell into a trance which lasted for 300 years. The monastery was abandoned in 1837; restoration began in 1963, and in 1989 Cistercian nuns moved in.”

The nuns we saw ranged in age from about 25 to 85. It was a nice service with the nuns singing and then saying the blessing in several languages.

We got some more sugar packet wisdom this morning. I took a screenshot of the google translation.

Here’s what the guide book says about today’s walk:

“This is a stunning stage that follows the Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua (‘stone and water route’), passing 51 ancient mills and cascading falls. It then accompanies the River Umia, passing albariño grapevines and fields before reaching the Ría de Arousa and Vilanova de Arousa.Read more