Pilgrims on the Way

Continuing our theme of hand painted signs involving quadrupeds, we come to this sign, which might be done by the same painter. And I mean, how could you not want goat cheese? Though the goat looks more like a giraffe to me. Date: 25 April 2016 Place: Ambasmestas (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s Map:

Through town and countryside, the Camino climbs up from the valley of El Bierzo to today’s goal: the first town of Galicia, O Cebreiro. It may not look like much of a climb in the photo, but one look at Francine’s face will dispel any notion of ease. The nearby shops have a large selection of walking sticks available for […]

As you enter the village of Ambasmestas, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the highway bridge overhead. It soars what must be hundreds of feet over the little valley nestling this village and several others we will pass through. I can’t imagine living here with the threat that a car accident might result in several tons of metal […]

The thing that strikes me funniest about this sign is that it’s in English. The upward slope as we climb out of El Bierzo and into Galicia is becoming more pronounced all the time. Apparently the locals have sensed an opportunity! Date: 25 April 2016 Place: Somewhere near Ambasmestas (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s Map:

This is the Hostal Camynos in La Portela. The building sits by itself on a cliffside on the two-lane road the Camino takes at this point. Seems like a lovely place, if a bit isolated. The Camino has already begun a gentle climb, and soon it will begin to climb in earnest towards the rim of the valley as we […]

The architecture of the buildings, while still very similar to that in other parts of Castilla, definitely has some differences. The most obvious is the sudden appearance of slate roofs. These can be found on most buildings now, whereas earlier in the the Camino they are only rarely seen. Date: 25 April 2016 Place: La Portella (Castilla y León, Spain) […]

We saw these little statues in front of a house in La Portela and decided that they were statues of us that had somehow fallen back in time. Old guy with battered hat and beard? Check. Old lady knitting with a headscarf? Check. Even the body posture and facial expression is eerily familiar. Thom and Francine, 2036. Date: 25 April […]

This monument stands near the village of La Portela. In addition to being a nice bit of Camino art, it’s multi-functional. It provides the name of the village, and it gives some version of the distance from here to both Roncesvalles behind us, and Santiago ahead. Date: 25 April 2016 Place: La Portella (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s Map:

I don’t think this sign needs any explanation. Oh, and Charles? It’s true. You need to walk the Camino. It’s time. Date: 25 April 2016 Place: Between Trabadelo and La Portella (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s Map:

We woke up early on the 25th of April, the Feast of Saint Mark. Our plan was a short day of about 17.5 km to the Galician village of O Cebreiro. The albergue where we stayed the night was in Trabadelo, a poor agricultural village with a rich history. It does appear rather shabby in this photo, but apparently this […]