Day 29 - A day to savour

La Laguna to Triacastella
25km
Accumulated distance 700.4km
I was looking forward to the day, I was going to summit the final of the 3 peaks along the Camino. La Laguna was only a half hour walk so enough time for a sunrise and breakfast then up the hill. What a welcome at the top, a Galician bagpipe player at the edge of the village was incredible. I decided to have a coffee and wait for the Church of Santa María of O Cebreiro to open at 9am and I’m glad I did. The little church was more simple than the larger churches and cathedrals, just a simple crucifix altar with light streaming through three small windows, plus a few separate smaller alters including one specifically for pilgrims. Quite a special little church. The village of O Cebriero itself was very quaint, a lovely little place.
The walk afterwards was stunning, views over the green hills and valleys, some mist still settled in the lower places, lots of birdsong, and in general a really peaceful environment today. The first few hours was undulating paths in good condition for walking, with the occasional steep hill up or down.
A real surprise was bumping into two kiwis I’d been following on the kiwis on Camino Facebook page, what a treat.
A nice bocadillo for lunch, then the long steep downhill to Triacastella and my accommodation. Out came my umbrella for the heat, my sunbrella, which got a few positive comments. It was really hot in the mid afternoon, so having my own shade was great. The final stretch was in woodland again, so very pleasant, but overall my toes got quite squished on the long decline. Interestingly the path passed through a few villages, all working farms, and it felt like I was walking right through the farm, complete with smells.
Getting in to the Pension Simon I realised that I’d also just ticked over the 700km walked, a day earlier than expected.
The moment of the day was the time in O Cebriero, right from the bagpipe welcome through to the simple little church.Read more