O Cebreiro to Barbadelo

“If we were meant to stay in one place we’d have roots instead of feet.” –Rachel Wolchin

Day 33 – O Cebreiro to Triacastela – 13.4 Miles

June 17, 2023

G: OK, not much for a narrative today. This was our first full day walking in Galicia. As you will see, the scenery is stunning. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the “narrative” below is 22,000 words long. Enjoy the photos. Elizabeth is napping, then dinner, then a massage, no time to write. We have walked over 400 miles, only about 80 to go to Santiago.

Sunrise in O Cebreiro
E enjoying the morning view, sunrise at 6:50AM
We took the alternate high route out of O Cebreiro
E taking the next photo
Notice the other walkers
E at Alto de San Roque, Statute of San Roque

We continue to see a few wildflowers along the path. Daisies, as far as the eyes can see!
E continues to catch many flower’s benefactors!
Many of the old buildings remain in use
More Daisies!
Beautiful walking today, pretty views and a good walkway
R..o..l..l..i..n..g hills!
Sooo cute
we’re seeing new ground cover plants in Galicia
There has been loads of rain lately. The path was washed out in several places.
Lots of fresh spearmint. E is enjoying making fresh tea with it.

E enjoying the quiet path
The Church of San Pedro -smallest church along the Camino.
Love the old walls that fence in cow pastures or gardens
OK, so there are other people walking with us. They aren’t all just at the bars. : )
I followed this hay wagon for about a mile. Tough to pass on this trail.
The most photographed tree on the path. An 800 year old chestnut tree.
Triacastela, our stopping point for the night.

Day 34 – Triacastela to Barbadelo – 14.0 Miles

June 18, 2023

Happy Father’s Day in USA! Father’s Day in Spain is celebrated on March 19^th, the day of Saint Joseph….just in case you wanted to know 🙂

E: The birds are always greeting us every morning. It’s a lovely chorus of all sorts of chirpers!

To start our day, which way do we go? We chose San Xil
Cows on the Camino today!
Cool doors
San Breixo is redoing their roads in town… by hand, stone by stone!!
And renovating this1800’s church
Inside the little church
More details of the church
Moss covered fence and damaged ancient wall : (
Rain enhanced moss covered rocks on the Camino
E hiking through the green forests!!

I was not the only one that was tired yesterday…Gary slept till 7AM! I don’t know that he has ever slept past 6AM in many, many years. And in the summer, at home, he’s up before 5AM. Last night at dinner several people were saying that they were emotionally and physically tired and on the trail today we met several people that overslept as well. Maybe due to the Camino coming to an end is exhausting our brains as well as our bodies! We’re not sure if we are so excited to be close to Santiago, questioning what a we going to do next and pilgrims are sad that their journey will soon complete.

A fountain with natural spring water. Pool reflection is cool
Ninke from Holland (Nin-caw). We’ve been enjoying days with her . Impressive 18 year old on the Camino by herself.
Another view, with Ninke to rt, at this cool “Hippie” stop. All donation food and drinks offered.
last word is “path”
The rains have damaged these ancient walls! : (
G in blue
Another typical café stop for Pilgrims.
Best use of graffiti on a street sign yet!

Random thought or note since we have been asked in the past:

This year there has been zero discussion of bed bugs, theft, criminal activity or aggressive or weird people on the Camino. Not sure I mentioned it before but the pillows and mattresses are covered in a heavy plastic and all the sheets in the private places we have been in are clean and fresh smelling, right off the clothes line.

Today’s walk through farm lands and small hamlets as well as socializing at the many stops along The Way with new and “old” friends we have met over the last 32 days made for what I would consider a leg tough day with some steep downs end on a great note.

Ninke and Gary clearing way for jumping sheep…see the high jumper in middle???
Gary calls this a “Widow Maker” tree branch : )
Donkey’s keeping the pilgrims motivated on The Way!
Storks finding lunch in the freshly cut hay field
I know, another cat…but this one has cool eyes! One hazel, one blue.
Ahhhh! Lots more new calves on the Camino today!
Don’t know what kind of horses these are…interesting colored foals!
Grey and brown babes of white moms (kind?)

E pouting in a big way…No Mas Escaleres! (no more stairs!) over 50 steps into Sarria. Ouchy legs!
Sarria art work
Entering the old section of Serria
Looking back toward the stairs E made it up : )
Looking west, heading out of Sarria on the Camino
Mosaic pattern out of stones and tile
Leaving Sarria, ancient bridge
Fun, funky tree right on The Way
Yellow directional…love the old walls!
Over 50% of walkers start in Sarria…including this group of over 30 high schoolers.
Our corner room tonight in Barbadelo. Awesome crafted seating area under our window.