Day 16 - Camino 5 : O'Cebreiro - Triacastela - 27th September

Day 16 - Camino 5 :

Leaving at dawn today in the mist meant we missed seeing more of the view along the way. I headed out with Louis and met Andy in the town where he was staying. Andy had pre-booked Motels along the way and so his destinations each night were predetermined. Last nights place was not the best but other nights he's been very comfortable

We met Saint Paul along the way...

... Seemingly getting blown away on the hill .
Louis had no such trouble managing

Met many interesting people on the journey today, including John, the Aussie bloke walking the Camino for a second time - he had some great stories - His stories were often about what I would call God moments but he was adament he was an agnostic and they were just coincidences. He made me laugh.

Sometimes we had to share the path with locals

I also met a Mexican girl along the way; a few Americans women at tea who shared their blankets with us because we were a little underdressed at the restaurant - It was a tad cold; and Irishman Paul in our dorm, who kindly looked after my washing as I went and had a beer and an explore of the town. Grace from Scotland, the other person in Louis and my four person dorm, who was very friendly but was a sleep when we returned from tea and away early the next day. And many others. A whole lot of young people in our aubergue again too, making a bit of a racket outside and getting into a spot of trouble with the landlady, now at 10pm.

Church at Fonfria

I mentioned earlier that every day I have been thinking about someone important in my life - today, as a result of our conversations on the road - it was the recently deceased members of my family. Mary presented herself first particularly when I found this gravestone around a church along the wagon the morning.

Mary .. in other words

and this one right next to it

Then it was Mum and Denis who kept me company for most if the trip down the hill.

Mum loved this sort of countryside ... she told me

We did have some close encounters with some locals along the way.

The mist finally lifted too and we enjoyed a surprisingly easy descent into our destination today: Triacastella. 

A 800 year old chestnut tree in Triacestella

We made the 20 km trip in good time at arrived at 2:40 in the afternoon. The aubergue was an old building converted into a new facility and was quite comfy. Last night was a test with 80 beds, all full, in the one dorm. Snorers heaven.  One right next to me. Hoping tonight will be better.