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Showing posts from October, 2016

Monforte de Lemos to Rodeiro.

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The past two days have been wonderful.  The weather continues to be fine, sometimes hazy, but the sun always shining, and the scenery continues to delight.  The walking has been strenuous at times, but the sights more than make up for it.  Thankfully, the dogs have improved, or I should say, the control of them has.  The big, scary ones have all been either on a chain, or behind a high fence.  I left Monforte de Lemos in fog, but as the day progressed the sun burnt it off and it was a lovely day. I wasn't paying attention as I left Monforte de Lemos , and just missed injuring myself on this abnormally low slung overhang! Looking through the fog. I met this handsome pair at A Vide , on the way out of Monforte de Lemos. Chantada , my next stop after Monforte de Lemos, was a beautiful town.  The buildings were interesting and the people caring and helpful.  My guide notes said it had arcaded streets, and on chatting with the hotel receptionist I learnt that these &qu

Galicia

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Galicia has a very distinctive smell, which until about two days ago my nose hadn't detected, on this trip.  Two days ago, as I approached the town of Quiroga, where I planned to spend the night, I knew I was truly in Galicia - the smell was there!  It is the smell of hay mixed with animal waste, the smell of sileage in the hot afternoon sun, the smell of cows, and of slurry!  It is distinctive, and nowhere else in Spain have I found that smell to such a degree. Until now, I have been passing industries such as slate factories, and vineyards - wine is very important in this region.  Now I am seeing (and smelling) more and more dairy farms.  Along with this kind of farming is an increasing danger - DOGS!  These are VERY big, VERY loud, and VERY scary!!  Those who know me, know I'm not really an animal lover, and my experience with the dogs here has put me off them forever!!!!! The little yappers are ok, as are the big woofers - when they are safely locked inside a yard.  It

The Camino Invierno.

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I left Ponferrada late on Thursday morning.  Late, because I had to do some shopping.  I was only two days away from Galicia, and this is a province famous, among other things, for the volume of rain that falls.  My shopping was for a special poncho "just in case" - added protection in addition to my raincoat.  I walked all around the city searching, and in the fourth store had success.  Now I can face all weathers! I had just got off the train and was headed for my hostal - giving the albergue a miss as I needed to sort all my gear at leisure. Ponferrada is famous for its Templar castle. It was easy leaving Ponferrada, following the signs, though one man stopped me to make sure I was going on the right path.  I am on a "road less traveled" as the Camino Invierno heads south briefly before turning and heading to Santiago more or less parallel to the much busier, and known, Camino Frances. I only followed these mojóns for two days..... ..... as no