Author: Thom

Our stalwart troop marches in to Biduedo – or possibly Viduedo, reports vary. We’re looking forward to lunch, and walking with purpose and resolve. This is a good shot of the patches on Francine’s pack. Not sure why we like patches so much. Maybe it’s memories of Boy Scout patches on uniforms and vests. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: approaching […]

Francine and Rebecca rest briefly in the shade of the little parish church of San Xoán de Fonfría. It’s just past noon in the heat of the day. We’re starting to look for someplace to have lunch and, perhaps more importantly, a refreshing beverage. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: Fonfría (Galicia, Spain) Today’s Map:

This is the interior of the village church of San Xoán in Fonfría. Although tiny, this is not the smallest parish church on the Camino. Look for that in a couple of days! In many Camino guidebooks this church is called San Juan, just one more sign of the language struggle between Spanish and Galician that ebbs and flows throughout […]

My impression is that cows have right of way in Galicia. Even if they didn’t you’d be a fool to get in their way. The thing about cows is that they’re pretty massive animals and they have no sense of personal space. They’ll walk right over you if you don’t get out of the way. So we did. Date: 26 […]

Having crested the mountain pass at O Cebreiro the day before, we spent the morning climbing back down the other side. The scenery along this section is stunning, particularly when you get glimpses into the valleys below. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: just past O Padornelo (Galicia, Spain) Today’s Map:

Our little Camino family rests at Alto do San Roque, in the shadow of the statue of a windswept pilgrim. It’s about 9 o’clock in the morning. The mist has burned off, but the air was still cool, even with the sun beating down. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: Alto do San Roque (Galicia, Spain) Today’s Map:

Alto do San Roque is crowned with a titanic bronze statue of a windswept pilgrim. It’s difficult to get an idea of the size of this statue, which towers over the pilgrims standing near it. It is one of the most beloved pieces of public art on the Camino. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: Alto do San Roque (Galicia, Spain) […]

Parts of the village of Liñares are no doubt charming, but the aspect it presents to those on the Camino look decidedly like a truck stop. We arrived at about 8:20 in the morning to find nothing at all open, frustrating our hopes for a proper breakfast. So we pushed on. Date: 26 April 2016 Place: approaching Liñares (Galicia, Spain) […]