Day Thirty-two - Portomarin to Palas de Rei - 27km

Last night was a long night! The thunderstorm never came and instead the air was humid and still. 

Our little bedroom had a window into a tiny courtyard which channelled the noise from other open windows straight into our room. The whole place seemed to echo any sound made - from snores to footsteps to bed springs squeaking to the baby in the room opposite crying! So we were up 'bright' and early this morning.

The roads were busy with all the new pilgrims which was strange after the quiet starts we are used to. However we soon out paced them and were able to enjoy the quietness of the countryside again.

This Camino experience has been amazing, even the days when we have felt tired and had to climb on rough paths for miles we have felt content and enjoyed the challenges. We have met so many people and the majority of them have been kind and friendly. However, even on a good day, there are things that are annoying! 

While I was walking through the fog this morning I was thinking of the silly things that can become irritating when you are tired or sore and I thought it would be fun to share them! None of these things are meant to be judgements or generalizations just fun observations!!!

1. Metal tipped hiking poles! Our poles have rubber ends that cover the metal tip when we are walking on the road - not everyone has or uses them. The tapping of a walking pole, especially when it doesn't match your walking pattern can become very annoying. Also some people use their poles in a strange way which creates irregular tapping........!

2. People who are oblivious to anyone else (usually Spanish or Italian) and walk slowly because they are talking so much and don't move out the way when you want to get past them.

3. People on bicycles on downhill stretches of path. (Italians!!!!)

4. People who have no idea what-so-ever how to queue! (Spanish and Italians!!!)

5. Anyone who is cheerful and loud at 7 o'clock in the morning - especially if they only started walking in Sarria!

But - most of the time it is amazing to share the same goal and destination with so many strangers from all over the world.

Thunder clouds closing in!
This is the church that they moved and rebuilt when the valley was flooded.

Yesterday we walked above the clouds
today we walk in them.

Still we get nearer.

This cross marks the spot of an old pilgrim cemetery.

We shared a cheese sandwich with this cat.

A new born calf in a field with his mum!

We walked along a lot of quiet roads today.

A beautifully restored farmhouse.

The sun filtering through the leaves.

A roundy, pointy thingy.

Our home for tonight is a log cabin.

We feel like we are at a holiday camp - when is the knobbly knee contest?