Monforte de Lemos to Diomondi

I left later than usual today - breakfast was included and I consider it my Mother’s Day brunch. Excellent breakfast, and I was on my way by 9 am.

But I took a wrong turn leaving the Parador. Down the hill was easy, but then I followed a group wearing backpacks. I don’t know where they were going but it wasn’t to the Camino route. See if you can notice on the Relive video.

Once I got out of Monforte de Lemos, the walking was easy for quite a while, along the side of a quiet road. There was also light rain.

Eventually the climbing began and for a while it was easy. Until it wasn’t. The route went off pavement and the trail through the trees was pretty but very muddy in places. My boots 🥾 stayed dry but are now covered in mud. At one point I was climbing upwards in an active stream.

But I made it. Once I reached the top elevation the trail went back onto the road. Road walking isn’t usually as nice, but it beats getting stuck in the mud.

Today I am back in a municipal albergue, in a tiny town with no services. That means I only spent €10 today, just the bed. I brought food with me, which I brought yesterday.

And it appears I am once again the only pilgrim. But there is a lady working here for a few hours; it is a clean and modern albergue, attached to a 12th century church. The hospitalera showed me the church - Church of San Pelayo. I think the albergue was once the priest’s quarters.

It is a bit strange (other than being so quiet). There is a small kitchen with a microwave and a toaster, but no dishes or utensils of any kind. I knew this in advance so I was aware to bring my own.

And it is wheelchair friendly! The trail I was on earlier was NOT, but a wheelchair could have taken the road. Its just further.Read more