Day 29 – Palas do Rei to Arzua

Hi folks,

After the highs of yesterday, walking so far, could we get up and walk today?…….. Of course. Us highly committed, fit young men can do anything now!

Today was 30k. This would get us to within 40k of Santiago. Our Holy Grail.

Before I continue I will prolong the suspense and add to my observations about Spain.

Stone Walls – Just like the dry stane dykes you get back home! Wonderful!

Tree Fruit – Loads of it. Apples n Pears to cobble dogs with, everywhere in Galicia. Its the same with conkers and acorns (the things Piglet eats). Seriously, you have to be careful when walking under these trees cos u could easliy get brained by falling fruit. ´We´ve had some narrow escapes, believe me.

Pensions – Not those things you get from work. These are kinda low grade hotels, even lower grade than hostels, but higher than Refuges. You get your own room, but share a loo/shower.

Last night´s was a self service job. You went into the place took a key, signed a book saying which room you took and but your money in a box. At 10pm each night someone came round to empty the box. No money, mucho hassle. Money there, nae sweat.

Okay, on with today. 30k. Left Palas do Rei at 8.30ish. Ate breakfast on the hoof and headed off. It was a busy wee path first thing. Many Germans trying to get there first. With our superior fitness now, we waltzed passed them, although you have to perform the odd swerve to get past the more obstinate ones. Armed with plenty water our first aim was to walk non stop to Melide, 15k away. The halfway point. We cruised through Casanova. I dont think he lives there anymore……, and on to Leboreiro. Once again the mist was all around us so scenery shots etc just not possible. The lanes, paths etc we walked were cool and shaded, although you still have to dodge the cow dung and bands of stray dogs. By 11am we had reached Melide. Here we stopped for an hour to rest our feet and eat.

Noon, back on the road. During our hour stop the mist had cleared and the sun was now beating down. This instantly slows you done.

As Alan stroud on I spent the next hour chatting to this Canadian girl called Anna, from Montreal. ( No Sharon she doesn´t know Paul n Susan). She was in Spain for the year to learn Flamenco dancing. Maybe she could teach me a few steps?..

Anyhow Al n me stopped at Castanedra for drink, so that brief encounter ended.

Around 3pm we finally made Arzua. It was just as well as the temperature was now in the 30´s.

Got a great room in a hostel, got the washing done and now having a drink. Fantastic. 30k tomorrow and we got it done. Even the flights home have been booked!

Manana a´body.