Triacastela

On the way up to O Cebreiro.


And we walked into Galicia.


More mountain ranges in the vicinity of O Cebreiro.


Lots of small scale cattle farms here in the hilly part of Galicia. This herd passed by as we were eating our lunch at the village fuente (fountain).


It does seem greener here in Galicia.

This is the real post for 12 Oct.

Galicia! A 5 km uphill climb (1300 foot elevation gain in 3 miles) put us over the summit at O'Cebreiro and into the province of Galicia. There was a bit more up and down before this afternoon´s final steep descent into Triacastela, a drop of 2000 feet in the last 6 miles. Altogether another 15.6 miles total walking today. We are out of the steepest mountains now. Even though there will be more up and downhill the next few days, the hardest part is over. As of tonight, there are abut 80 mles left to Santiago. The weather again today was gorgeous, around 70 degrees with the wind blowing during the day. Down here in Triacastela it must be close to 80 degrees this afternon, no wind. The mountains are all green from the recent rains. I walked today mostly with Erik and Greg, and saw Markos and many other people at various times during the day. We enjoyed some wine and beer at the local cafe after the shower and clothes washing chores. I also went to the tienda to buy some food for tomorrw, visited the local church, and will meet up with the others at 7 for our evening peregrino menu. Even though it is Monday, many shops are closed today as it is Christopher Columbus day, a national holiday in Spain. I think they will take any excuse for another national holiday!

Tomorrow it is on to Sarria, but need to decide about taking the longer scenic route or the highway route. I don´t think it will be a hard decision.

Later on: Shared peregino menu with Erik, Greg, Markos, Ian from Canada, and Klaus from Germany. Markos distills 200 liters of apple schnapps every year from his family´s orchard in Germany. He carried a flask of schnapps with him for the past month and tonight he shared it with all of us after dinner. It was very good and we appreciated the fact that he carried with him all these days!