A Walk in the Woods

We left the village of Samos as the clocks were striking 8 AM. First, the monastery bells, then a moment later the clocktower at the town hall, and finally a distant church.

Most of the day’s walk was through a tapestry of forest and farmland. It was absolutely lovely. Magical.

We passed through innumerable places that explored the hazy difference between “tiny village” and “large farmstead”.

Our route – an alternate of an alternate – was not on my map, and it was barely mentioned in the guide books.

Eventually we rejoined the main Camino route with its many more pilgrims. We walked past a number of ancient oak groves and a stand of elegant cypress trees. Each felt as though some faerie wood had briefly intruded into our world.

We passed through the major town of Sarria, which serves as the starting point for many – perhaps most – pilgrims, before resting at the tiny village of Vilei just beyond.