Cycling the Camino 2

When embarking on the Camino adventure it is pretty easy to slip into the casual, unhurried way of Spanish life. Having said that, our stopover towns are totally dependent on Camino hikers, who are tired and hungry at 5.00pm, but restaurants aren't open until eight!!! That makes one helluva long cocktail hour?? Oh well......'when in Spain'.

One of the highlights of being on the trail is the interaction with different cultures. A Dutch guy we had drinks with in Portomarin biked down from Holland before biking the entire Camino Way from France,.......without electrics! Crazy!!!

We left Portomarin in fog, but it cleared later in the morning. Some pretty countryside though but the cobblestones don't allow comfortable riding.

This is to prove I didn't take a taxi from one town to another...

And this is to prove how pesky I might have been to a few walkers.....

Some of the villages we passed through almost felt like we were invading their living rooms. The chooks are free range; dogs breed liberally; and occasionally a herd of cattle might share the same road. It is very quiet during siesta.....which appears to be most of the afternoon for some! Just love their vegetable gardens. Broccoli and kale stand like trees.

Their departed ones stay close to the community....

At the end of the day our destination was Palas de Rei, but our accommodation was about 10km out of town......extra peddling for me, but Helen had the luxury of a complimentary taxi!! This area is renowned for Queimada, nicknamed the 'fire drink' which is flamed alcohol (similar to Grappa) with lemon slices and coffee beans. Sadly we didn't get to try it!! Our accommodation was a 300-year old house A Parada Das Bestas in a rural setting surrounded by beautiful gardens. The owners were great hosts and renowned for their exceptional food.

Today we headed for Azura. This was the most challenging part of the trail so far. Roughest terrain ever with large rocky outcrops, washouts and slippery stones. Instant decisions had to be made, like here: "Do I risk my neck on the bridge, or take a nose dive in the ford?"........

When the track was crowded it was even more hazardous, but had rewarding little spots along the way, including this little kiosk selling strawberries, raspberries, cherries, cheese and sweets...

Then more obstacles, but generally the trail was pretty .......

Amazingly the trail just about separates the tables in the cafes as it meanders by old churches and living quarters.........

At last in Azura. Maybe tonight we will get to taste the local poblo a feira (octopus!). Another beautiful mural and a pretty town. I saw a queue outside a shoe repair shop, ...... Camino walkers getting their boots fixed!!

I will touch base again when we get to Santiago.