GGRPP

Again today there was a choice of routes, 1 of 15 kms which Danielle took and the one that I chose of 20 kms. Weather was overcast and cool .... a grrp day ... Gortex, Gloves and Rainpants, later it graduated to ggrpp when the poncho was called into action.

Cea is known for its bread, indeed the bread here is of a heavier, healthier inconsistency. This monument to the bread bakers of Cea is on the camino heading out of town.

Water is abundant everywhere here in Galicia province, sometimes even where it is not so convenient. There are usually stones strategically placed to keep one's feet out of the puddles.

Walking through a very large ... a couple of kilometres... burn area. It came very close to the village of Pielos.

At 7 kms I stopped at the first sign of human life since starting out at 7am .. the cafe at Pielo. Green tea, (Cea) toast with crushed tomato. Yumm

Fountains everywhere!

Many have potable water so that locals and pilgrims may fill their bottles.

I caught up to Chang Ho at the historic Monasterio de Oseira, he is a very good photographer.

Thanks to Toni of Austria for telling me about the monastery tour at 10am. Perfect timing for us.

Check out his walking stick, crafted by himself, he has carved on it the camino name, his name and address, the symbols of the Way plus it has a comfortable leather grip and it unscrews at the mid point so it fits alongside his pack for bringing on airplanes. He carves them (this is #5 for his last 5 caminos) out of strong hazelwood which he finds himself in the Austrian forest close to his home.

The beautiful old church within the monastery. There are currently 11 monks living here.

Called the Room of Palms

Back on the camino, Climbing the hill gave a perfect view of the monastery.

Much of the trail looked like this. It was steep and slow going. Thankfully the rain started once I was walking on a road. This would be slippery if wet.

The albergues in Galicia are only 6€ per night, are well maintained and spacious with lots of light. I was very thankful to hear that I did not need to venture out in the rain to eat. There is a restaurant downstairs.

In the restaurant were about 20 pilgrims of a different sort. They were from San Francisco and travel with a guide. They do not stay in albergues and they have their luggage transported. Some pilgrims think this is cheating but hey at least they are walking and they are enjoying their own type of camino. They were also enjoying being in their own group and they probably walk further each day than we do. There is room for everyone!

A large group of us were eating around 3pm and started wondering where is Danielle. She had left Cea 1 hour before Annie from Luxembourg but hadn't yet arrived. When I phoned her I just got voicemail. She was AWOL. Everyone began to get very concerned but I felt she had just gone on and that we would hear from her. Turns out she had arrived here at 11am which was too early to stop for the day. She and another pilgrim did some research on their smartphones and found a hotel 7kms ahead. My camino tomorrow is a long 28 kms, hers will be a more manageable 21 kms. Smart cookie!

Oh and talking about kilomtres.... I have just passed the 900 mark. Whoo Hooo!

A Demain