Miraz 30 September

Today's walk was my longest yet at 22 miles, but it was through the mountain valley with no serious uphill or downhill, just a lot of little up and downs. I stopped in Baamonde about 11:30 for a big draft beer and ham and cheese bocadillo, plus free tapas (fresh sardines, tomatoes, olives, onions), so it was a satisfying lunch. I also stocked up at the food store, because there is nothing else here in this village.

I wanted to get to this point today, because tomorrow's walk will have a serious elevation gain to reach the highest point on this camino. I figured roughly that I am around the 200 mile point now, with about 60 miles to reach Santiago. Thinking about which other caminos to walk after I reach Santiago and I am leaning towards the Camino Ingles, which starts due north of Santiago in both Ferrol and A Coruña.

No wi fi in Miraz at all, so will be posting at least a day late. This albergue was an interesting change. It is owned and run by the British confraternity of Saint James, so the hospiteleras made British tea and bread pudding for everyone last night.

Hard to see in the photos but those are a line of eólicos (wind driven electrical generators), a common site here on the ridge tops where it is the windiest.

On the camino, one passes many empty houses and other buildings with for sale or for rent signs. It is clear that Spain is still deeply in its economic recession.