Author: Thom

Here Francine and Eamon walk through a forested stretch of the Galician Camino. We are on our way to Samos, which is an ancient Benedictine monastery on an “alternative route” – a half-day’s detour, really. It’s very much worth the extra time. Not only is Samos itself not to be missed, but the route is a pleasant walk that can […]

The tiny hamlets continue to spread from the Camino route up the hills and into the woods and meadows on either side. I find this entire stretch of the Way almost indescribably romantic and bucolic. It’s almost Hobbity. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Triacastela and Samos (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)

This tree is a reminder that not every piece of art on the Camino is man-made. The river here is the Río Sarria. This part of the Way follows along the river on and off all the way to Samos. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Triacastela and Samos (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)

Between Triacastela and Samos, the Camino passes through a string of tiny hamlets that seem to be administratively organized into long, skinny villages strung out along the road. Here we see Francine and Eamon in what may or may not be part of the village of Renche. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Triacastela and Samos (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today […]

At some point, the Camino route leaves the highway to briefly follow… an old, abandoned highway. Well, some sort of numbered road, anyway. My guess is that they rerouted a curve at some point, leaving this old segment, like an oxbow lake, cut off from the main road. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Triacastela and Samos (Province of Lugo, Galicia, […]

It’s not quite highway walking on the Camino from Triacastela to Samos, but most of it is definitely right next to the highway. Not my favourite, but definitely better than being on the highway itself. Still, a beautiful day for a walk through some stunning terrain, which includes some cliffs most likely created when they built the highway. Today will […]

This pilgrim monument was erected in 1965. Like many of the pieces of public art on the Camino, it depicts Santiago, though it gives prominence to the Cross of Saint James or Cruz de Santiago. This town of Triacastela is a point of decision in the Camino: to press on to Sarria, or to take the alternate route to the […]

We stopped for lunch in a place called Parrillada Xacobeo, which in Galician means something like “James’s Grill”. This is a pretty typical Camino lunch, possibly even too much food for mid-day: salad, chips, bread, and a random protein, washed down with beer, vino tinto, orange juice, or soda at your discretion. Date: 26 April 2013Place: Triacastela (Province of Lugo, […]