Spania

I must be losing my strength — only 22 km and 350 m, and I was dragging and straggling by the time I got to Lalín at about 1:30. Part of the reason was no doubt the rain. Though it never got torrential, it was relentless. So much mud and water to navigate undoubtedly slowed me down, but I was surprised when Wikiloc told me it was only a 22 km stage

In spite of the rain, this was a beautiful stage. The predominant color was green, and the predominant sounds were twofold – water and humming. The water came in all sorts of sounds — trickling, gurgling, rushing, roaring even. At one point I could see four different not-so-little lwaterfalls converging into a river, which was high and moving fast. In fact, some of the bridges I walked over were almost underwater.

And the humming was the sound of the milking machines that came out of all of the dairy farms. I have never walked this stage without seeing at least one person leading cows to pasture. But today they were all being milked, I guess. I saw several milk collection trucks throughout the day, so that confirms my suspicion that everyone was getting milk ready for market.

The weird display paying homage to Franco and Juan Carlos is still there, but gone are the many plasticized pages describing the owner’s lawsuit against someone, I was never sure if it was the government or a neighbor. Maybe it has been resolved.

As I was coming into Lalín, I was remembering the excellent meal I had here years ago. And since it’s Sunday, I was expecting there to be all sorts of great options for a leisurely Sunday lunch. After I washed clothes and showered, I headed out in search of a good restaurant.

Imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when I learned that every restaurant in Lalín booked for Mother’s Day lunch! I have found a decent tapas place, though, and I’m a happy camper.

Everyone says it won’t rain tomorrow — may it be so.Les mer