Triacastela to Sarria

Although it rained overnight and we hoped that would be the end of it, it was not to be.  For the most part, however, we stayed dry, as shower after shower came through but we managed to find shelter each time.

It seemed to us that we went through a lot of tunnels today, as we made our way along one narrow pathway after another.  If the pictures today seem darker, that's because it's the kind of day it was...so we are certainly thankful for the plethora of yellow arrows along the way, making our choices easy ones...

For the first part of what was a relatively short day (only 18 kms), we climbed steadily upwards...

...and came across a variety of small farms along the way.  This was unusual, as in most cases in our experience the farmers live in towns and go out to their fields each day.  Here we pass through one such isolated farm early in the morning...

Diane wanted me to delete the above picture, but I like it!!

One thing you notice here in Spain is that altitude is no barrier to farming fields or finding pasture.  All available land is used.  We passed a lot of cattle along the way...

...and that's only 2 of the original 6 shots I had!

The Cmino waltz was once again the popular dance of the day, over and over, especially on our descents...

...the scenic views were once again spectacular...

...the forests surrounding our trails were magical...

..and the narrow paths often made us think we were in on a Hobbit movie set...

As I mentioned earlier, the weather was iffy throughout the day, with intermittent showers.  You could see the rain coming, and we made sure we found cover each time.  The skies pictured below were our constant companion all day long, and I did catch one barely visible rainbow...

We are staying tonight in the town of Sarria, population approx. 13,000.  We expect it will get busier after today, since Sarria is a major starting point for pilgrims with limited time but eager to pick up a compostela (a certificate written in Latin with your name on it that used to serve as an indulgence for your sins).  You only need to walk at least 100 kms to the cathedral in Santiago to get one of these, and of course we have to guard against a feeling of superiority that we walked 8 times that far to get our compostela/certificate!  Such pride might require an indulgence!!  But no worries: we did this pilgrimage for our own personal and spiritual reasons - knowing full well that our Saviour Jesus made any notion of indulgences completely unnecessary by his death for us on the cross. 

Our stay tonight is in a fairly modern but spartan and utilitarian hotel without any character - too bad.  Dinner is served here at 9 p.m.  Imagine that!  We will go elsewhere for our meal, as we are usually asleep by that time (seriously!).

Distance today: 18.7 kms

Time on the road: 5:24

Total distance to date: 678.1 kms

Walking days remaining: 6