O'Cebreiro to Triacastela

We had just arrived at our day's destination, and less than 5 minutes later the skies opened up and it has been raining cats and dogs ever since. So we're staying snug and warm and dry in our cozy room rather than go out for our usual end of the day "happy hour."  The weather forecast was for heavy rain in the afternoon and we had said to each other that we needed to time this day's trip as carefully as possible (which is not very) so that we got in before we got wet.  We could not have timed it better.  We thank God for the rain, and for his timing - at least as far as we are concerned!

The day began under cloudy skies and that really never changed.  Before we left O'Cebreiro, I took pictures of the church in this small village, of the bust of Don Elias Sampredo (a priest whose remains are buried in this church and who is known for restoring and preserving the integrity of the Camino - marking the route with yellow arrows was his idea and work), and of the "Main Street" of this cute village and popular tourist site...

As we gradually begin to make our way down, the gorgeous and panoramic countryside of this part of Spain just makes pause again and again to soak it in.  As Diane put it, it feels like we're in a fairy tale...

The path on which today's walk begins is relatively smooth and wooded...

Every once in a while, sculptures of pilgrims are found along the way...

We are now in a part of Spain known as Galicia, and from here on in, all the way to Santiago, our walk will be dotted with stone markers every 500 meters, to let us know how much further it is until we reach the goal of this pilgrimage: the cathedral of Santiago that is the resting place of the remains of St. James the apostle.

Along today's way is another simple reminder of someone who was not able to finish the journey to Santiago...

We made our way through 5 separate villages today, and that always makes the walk seem shorter.  We had an extra breakfast of coffee and a shared cheese omelet in Alto do Polo, following a steep climb of 200 meters or so...

...and had a lunch of fresh squeezed orange juice and shared cheese bocadillos (sandwich) for lunch in a wayside spot 4 kms from our destination.

The scenic views along the way and the variety of wild flowers continued to amaze us...

We came down today from a high of 1330 meters to 670 meters, so we knew that somewhere along the line there was going to be more of the steep downhill that is is hard on the feet and toes and knees.  We were not disappointed, as once we were past the village of Biduedo the descent we had expected began.  It was time for the good old Camino waltz again!

 

Just before we entered Triacastela, we passed by a chestnut tree estimated (acc. to the sign beside it) to be over 800 years old....

Shortly after, we arrived in Triacastela which, when translated, means "three castles."   Unfortunately, none of the original 3 castles have survived the ravages of history and time.  But a relief of the 3 castles  is carved on the tower of the church in town...can you see them?

As I finish this post, it is still raining outside, and we hope it continues throughout the evening so that there is none left for tomorrow (or doesn't it work that way?).  

Distance today: 21.3 kms

Time on the road: 5:50

Total distance to date: 659.4 kms

Walking days remaining: 7