Camino de Madrid/Camino Francis, Day 29, Friday, June 8, 2018

Portomarin to Plasa de Rei (16.59 miles/26.71 kms)

Today was going to be a questionable day for me as I was not sure how far I could walk. It all was depended on how I was feeling and how much energy I had still feeling sick this morning. I went to bed early in hopes of getting lots of sleep, but I still didn’t feel great this morning.

The thought of sleeping late and staying one more day sounded tempting this morning, but then again it does most mornings. I headed out the door before eight to the usual dark cloudy sky. The forecast called for morning and afternoon rain and I had my rain gear on as I started out. However, it never really rained all day other that a few misty moments throughout the day.

Coming out of Portomarin is a short downhill to the bridge where the Camino runs, but then after that it’s pretty much uphill for the next nine miles. The first few miles are fairly steep and that’s when I was a little concerned whether I would have enough energy to walk very far this morning. I try never to stop when going up a hill, no matter how steep it is, because I find it harder to get started again, especially pulling the Wheelie.

The Camino at that time of morning was crowded with pilgrims, especially going up that first steep climb. Funny, it’s just like a freeway where things get a little congested because the slow moving cars going uphill holding up traffic. I had a steady pace and passed several people that stopped or where waking very slow, but then some people passed me too.

At first I didn’t think I could sustain my walk as I felt a little weak but when I finally hit the brief little top I thought I could go on a little further. It was like that most of the day where I thought I’d run out of energy and have to stop because since there where many places along the Camino to stay. Once I got to Alto de Ligonde, the highest altitude today, I thought I could make it to Plasa de Rei. Once past Alto de Ligonde the terrain was still rolling hills but the climbs were not as long or steep. The overall elevation gain for today was still over 2,000’.

The scenery was a little different, but beautiful, today as everything is still green. Much of the Camino goes through hilly farmland and some areas with houses on acreage.

I didn’t make reservations fir tonight because I wasn’t sure how far I could walk today. Once I decided to stop at Plasa de Rei I called several places and all were full. I was surprised that I got to Plasa de Rei at two, and once there I went to the San Marcos Alberque, where I stayed two years ago. I was fortunate because I got one of the last available private rooms there. Funny because it was also the same room I had last time I was here.

I got here early enough that I will be able to get settled in and to bed early. I am hoping that I’ll feel better tomorrow and will be able to walk a good distance. My flight leaves in seven days, and I am a little concerned that if it takes me longer than four days to get to Santiago it will limit my time to get back to Madrid. I am thinking positive that I’ll feel better tomorrow and will be in Santiago in three days.

Best wishes,

Ted

As always, please excuse the typos, grammar, and spelling, etc., because I am writing this on my phone and don’t always review my blog. And, even if I don’t review it, it’s a good excuse for my mistakes!

Leaving Portomarin in the morning

Walking down to the Camino from Portomarin

That’s the Camino going across the bridge. Note all the pilgrims

Crossing the Camino on the bridge. As I noted, the scenery is beautiful

No, that’s not the line at Disneyland, it’s the Camino. That’s the influx of the majority of pilgrims that start at Sarria (approx 80%) because it’s the closest place to Santiago where you can start the Camino and get a Compostela (certificate). I am just jealous because they get the same Compostela as me! But, I get a secondary certificate that states where I started and the mileage.