“A person susceptible to ‘wanderlust’ is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation.” – Pico Iye
June 1 Triacastela to Barbadelo
Today’s miles – 14.0 Total miles 421.8
Elizabeth: A long but wonderful day. Great weather, 40’s at night and sunny and 75 for the high. All four of us left Triacastela together about 7AM. The downhills were challenging getting into Sarria. We then walked an additional 2+ miles beyond Sarria to Barbadelo, arriving at our lodging for the night about 3:30PM.
There is an art studio we stopped at early in the day and Chelsea and I got hand painted, watercolor designs on our credentials. The British artist moved there years ago and bought an old rundown but ancient building and a small parcel of land under and around the building to a stream. He said it was eight years of renovations over time and he lives and has his studio there now.
We then stopped at what I fondly call another Hippie place. We have rested there many times in the past and was excited to show C & C this place today as well. The caretaker, Simon, was there in 2015 on our first Camino and has been there ever since. It is donativo (donations) only. You can get his hand carved stamp in a shape of two feet; he has chairs, sofas, pallet benches; lots of juices, coffee, fruit, nuts, granola and more. We enjoyed a fresh squeezed blend of bananas, carrots, berries and spearmint. The entire outdoor space is loaded with motivational and inspirational sayings on wood and slate in Spanish and English. Cooper noticed a sign advertising yoga at 10AM…it was 9:50, so Gary and I headed out but C & C enjoyed an hour of meditation, breathing and yoga before leaving this relaxing and very positive vibe sanctuary in the woods.
Gary walked with an 84-year-old man from Zimbabwe for a couple miles. He was carrying his own pack and kept up a good pace. He has lost a wife, was divorced once and has had “a lady friend” now for 10 years. He has been doing the French Route in sections over a few years and will be finishing this year. He was very sweet and inspiring.
Gary and I walked into Sarria and headed straight for an African charity event we heard about earlier in the day. There was music, food, beer and a used clothing for sale. Gary parked himself under a shade tree and I picked out some lightweight pants I have been thinking about getting anyway. I grabbed a beer and joined G under the tree for a relaxing break in the day. We then walked up the Camino through the old section of Sarria noticing it was quite quiet for a Saturday afternoon. Sarria is usually really busy. It is the most popular place for people to start their Camino as it is only 100k to Santiago. This is usually the beginning of a different vibe on the French Way but if today was any indication, we might be surprised that it’s not that crowded. Tomorrow and the next few days will tell!
After checking into our lodging, a historical house with 5 rooms and 2 shared bathrooms in Barbadelo, I did a few pieces of laundry in the sink and hung them out on the fence in the front yard. Gary and I laid down, me with my very tired, sore legs up on the wall, and rested for a bit. We then enjoyed a meal at the restaurant next door and I waited on the stone wall for the kids to come in to town. Enjoying several dogs and a heard of cows in a pasture. The kids hung out in Sarria for a bit, went to a Kebob place to eat (Cooper’s favorite) and enjoyed the African event as well before arriving in Barbadelo around 6PM. No worries, the sun doesn’t set until 10:01PM tonight!
We saw 20 dairy cows walking down the road from the barn to a pasture, 10 goats being called by a farmer heading to the barn and the highlight of the evening was one of the cows gave birth in the field this evening! What a day!
June 2 Barbadelo to Castromaior
Today’s miles – 17.2 Total miles 439.0
Enjoy our day via the captions in the below “slide” show : )
Beautiful Galician morning on the path to Santiago 
Cooper and our new Belgian friend talking with a local. 
Typical Galician countryside 
Crossing the bridge to Portomarin 
E and C loving the lake in Portomarin 
E and Chelsea’s shadows and reflection of trees 
Chelsea at Portomarin entrance 
2 hawks over G. 
C, C and E enjoying the freshly cut hay
As I walked the Camino and opened my heart to the possibilities, to the wonders of nature and to the child within me, I was filled with peace and joy. – A Pilgrim walking the Camino
June 3 Castromaior to O Coto
Today’s miles – 16.0 Total miles 455.0
Gary: The day started out cool and foggy with a climb up to the Castromaior ruins. These ruins were inhabited from 4BC to 1AD. And we thought the 800s were a long time ago! It is very cool how everything is wide open and we can walk right through the area. There are several moats of dirt mounds encircling the ruins as well.
Today was a great day for walking. Gentle ups and downs, gravel beside the road, some road walking and our favorite – a dirt path through the Galician countryside. We are now passing through some Eucalyptus forests as well.
We stopped at a café and had our typical fresh squeezed orange juice. Elizabeth and I could not resist the home made brownies that were amazing. What a great breakfast!! Cooper grabbed a brownie to go. We got a kick out of the sign warning us of their dog – see photos. It is in Spanish, but translates to: Crazy dog, knows karate, black belt, Jackie Chan. The Spanish don’t have our “J” sound, sound it is written YAKICHAN. We never saw a dog, but figured he was probably lazily sleeping around the corner.
The day got up to the upper 70s, which is warm to walk in the direct sun. We are off the schedule of the masses, so the trail is not too busy, which is great. The number of walkers literally double in the town of Sarria, which we passed through yesterday. Mid day we passed through Palas de Rei, a big stopping point for most walkers. We continued 5+ miles past there to a small town called O Coto where we are staying in a nice place for the night. The afternoon was mostly on a quiet forest path. I walked a bit with a couple from Scottsdale, AZ and saw my South Korean geocaching friend again. I have been seeing her multiple times a day recently.
Elizabeth entering the ruins of Castromaior on a foggy morning. 
Looking back at Gary on left 
Don’t want to make her mad! 
Locals out for a stroll. 
A very cool beer tap. 
We got a kick out of this sign. 
E enjoying another beautiful day on the Camino. 
We are loving Galicia. E used her umbrella for the sun which we were in and out of. 
We got caught in another local traffic jam.
What we find in a soul mate is not something to tame, but something wild to run with.
Robert Brault
Gary and Elizabeth's Adventures 