Ferriero to Portomarín

We set off with the Bilboa school group at 8.30 and had a lovely walk in cool weather to Portomarín - 9km away. We had lovely views of the hills and town on the other side of the river. We met some cheery Irish women and ran into a group of about 100 Spanish kids. It got hotter as we walked and the stone steps up to the town were hard work, but now we are in luxury rooms with river views and air-conditioning and all is well. Mum is doing great and her feet seem to be fine in her excellent boots. 

It were luxury! A Night in Ferreiro

In the evening Mum revived after a little rest and we went across the road to the restaurant where we had our first pilgrim's menu - a three course meal with wine or water for 10 eur. We both had the Galician soup which came quickly with thick pieces of bread, and which we really enjoyed. Then Mum had braised beef and salad and I had veal and chips, and for pudding Mum had a yoghurt with a packet of sugar and I had cheesecake. Then we sat and looked out at the countryside in the sunny evening and inspected the plants and said hello to another cat of the camino and watched the farmer in his tractor. 

Sarria to Ferreiros

We walked over 12km through the lush Galician countryside. It was also quite a climb - we ascended over 200m, some parts quite steep. We met plenty of merry pilgrims - most people looked like they were enjoying the walk. It wasn't too hot - there were sunny spells and more overcast periods. We stopped 3 times for a drink and to air our feet. Mum was pretty tired by the end but we have our private room with a nice bathroom in Ferreiros Albergue Casa Cruceiro - she is having a lie down while I put our clothes through the wash. 

Getting to Sarria

We caught our train to Sarria in the morning. After all my plans for Mum to walk into Santiago de Compostela, the train stopped there. Mum was asked to close her eyes and not look, and she promptly fell asleep.

Found the albergue where we have a private room. We went for lunch but the place was full. We joined in another part of the fiesta in town with music, dancing and a bar. On the basis of yesterday's invitation we now consider ourselves invited to all the fiestas in Spain. 

We had a rest and climbed the hill to the Calle Major, the main street through town, thronging with pilgrims. On the way we met a man who carves the wooden walking sticks. We visited the church where we got a proper stamp to start our journey and Mum got her shell for her rucksack. Then we had a drink and were given a slice of pizza to go with it, and we watched the world go by.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Fiesta in the city. We saw people buying traditional bunches of herbs, there was music on each square with drink stands and barbecues. We made our way back to Deportivo where the owner was frying up sardines. We had a drink  and enjoyed being part of the celebration. We ate the delicious sardines with our fingers. Then we walked back to the hotel. At midnight there was a big firework display but we were already tucked up in bed. 

A Day out in A Coruña

We had a wonderful walk around the sea front at A Coruña, up to the Tower of Hercules lighthouse and round to the harbour and into the old town. We had lovely meal at a lively family restaurant and were invited back for the fiesta tonight for the feast of St John. 

Arriving in A Coruña

Met Mum as planned at midnight in A Coruna airport. I felt like Tom Hanks in The Terminal as I waited in the empty hall.

Great stay in Bratislava with Barbara with Dorotka too, and we had an enjoyable night out on the town on Friday. We say the first camino sign in Bratislava.