Arcade to San Amaro about 21km

Stepping Back in Time

Did you have one of these in your house when you were growing up?

We did. This one was part of an eclectic collection of ‘stuff’ decorating the pub where we had a drink last night. The unusual ceiling above our heads was two lanes of a bowling alley complete with pins glued upside down. Another section was devoted to table games.

I wish our good friends Lindee and Greig had been there with us.

Setting off in the Dark

Street lamps light our way as we set off in the dark again this morning at 8:00am. Daylight saving starts a few days after we get to Santiago.  It was cold and I was sorry the zipped off part of my pants were buried deep in my pack. However the steep climbs that we’re encountering since leaving the flat coastal route soon got the heart rate going and the body warmed up.

After so many dogs barking and lunging at us, I couldn’t resist the little puppy that bounded up to me. Fortunately he only wanted to play and didn’t follow us.

Country Life

We chose the longer optional route along the river to avoid the road. Look closely. You might be able to see Bronek and his reflection.

Mushrooms popped up after the rain.

And fallen chestnuts caught my eye.

I wasn’t sure what the purpose of a row of buckets filled with chunks of bread was doing lined up on the side of the road. Until I heard the geese nearby.

Out of Place

After sitting down for coffee in a plaza in Pontevedra we realised that we were amongst the most well dressed people we’d seen in a while. And there we were in our smelly boots and me all muddied by the playful pup from earlier on!

Sometimes people would rather not have to deal with you personally. Instead they set up vending machines for hot and cold drinks.

No Room at the Albergue …so a Hotel it is

After cooling my feet in a stream it was a short walk to the Albergue. However we ended up in a hotel! We asked at a café if there were any rooms in the area. There were, but we’d have to be collected and returned in the morning. For €15 each we jumped at the offer. I did think to myself as the car sped along the narrow roads how ironic it would be if we had to die in a car crash after surviving the Portuguese roads!

Lunch was delicious chiperones (baby squid), clams (? pippies) and salad.