A late arrival around 4:00 at the Casa Crucerio in Ferreiros after a long 13 km walk!! There were many ups & downs. Leaving Sarria this morning around 8:38 (miraculously everyone slept in to 7:30!) there were hoards of pilgrims!

Doesn't show many people - they were there! Many begin their Camino in Sarria so lots of Albergues & outfitting shops. It was a lovely walk today even tho long & knee hurt towards the end...

Sunrise over Sarria!!! Yes, no rain! It was great to have a dry day.

Here is one type of path I walked today - Liz started later this morning & stopped before I did so solo walking today tho met up with Maureen, PA.

Another path...

And another one...

And another...it was a very varied way! I'm tired & it is taking a long time to upload photos so I will close for tonight - tomorrow is an 8.5 km day so will have time to post more. Here is another path & one thankful pilgrim for no rain - thanks for the prayers!!

Today did not start out sunny & dry! Liz & I started out around 8:30 & the drizzle became a drench. Liz turned back as her waterproof jacket was quickly soaked through!! She caught a ride with the van that picked up our packs. She has a bad cough so was a good decision. It rained until early afternoon when sun came out - I was dry upon arrival at Albergue Peltrie in Sarria. I missed a turn so walked a bit further than need be but fortunately figured it out in time to make connection with path again. It did feel as if I was the only human in the universe for quite some time - finally two CA ladies came up behind me while I was having a rest during one dry spell. Their bright ponchos were a welcome sight for awhile and then others also appeared and then our path made connection with the other option so there was just about a traffic jam!!! My knee is hurting - have 13 km on tomorrow's agenda. Will see...

Leaving Samos

My mascot! There were many in the bus stop where I stopped to check map to get back on right trail!

Finally a yellow arrow to reassure me that I am on the El Camino!

A hamlet church

A rustic gate

Another hamlet church

The horse riders went the same way I did!

Sun coming into Sarria!

Sarria is hilly!

Home for tonight.

Sidewalk signage in Sarria.

Good night - need to make pack arrangements, etc. Thanks for prayers for dry days!!

Here are photos of Samos. It cleared up so we walked around...

With clouds

In sunshine

More sunshine - remember how far down the view was in previous photo - we walked that descent in pouring rain!

Apple trees in Monasterio garden

A different sidewalk design

Clouds coming back in

A once elegant house

Monastery cross

Monastery dome

Monastery entrance

Even trash bins reflect El Camino symbol

Rounded a corner & this appeared

Inside doorway

Home for tonight

Pilgrim horse riders!

Town center tower

Town/pilgrim fountain

Library!!

Stairs at back of town tower

Municipal bldg relief

Time to get ready for bed so don't disturb others. Liz, the English woman who is married to a German & lives near Berlin, & I are planning on walking together again tomorrow to Sarria, 7+ miles. We pray no rain or just light mist! We have reservations as larger town so no worries about having a bed. Also pack shipping all arranged so can sleep soundly!!! They turned the heat on so every register has boots & other wet, outer wear on them to hopefully be dry by morning. Putting on wet hiking shoes/boots doesn't sound at all appealing!! Also have them stuffed with newspaper that has been changed out several times. Once again, thanks for prayers and good thoughts... No bedbugs have been encountered yet!! No falls, no bad blisters, and today first bad weather which is to clear on Wednesday - life is good!! Good night!

A very fuzzy photo of very wet Liz & Jane upon their arrival at the Vel Samos Albergue this afternoon!! It was a wet walk towards the end of our 9.5 km trek today.

It started out cloudy, then drizzle, then bits of sun, then more drizzle which progressed into rain! We are now in the Galicia area which is known for being rainy - we are now believers!! It isn't cold and the wind isn't blowing hard, so it wasn't unbearable; just uncomfortable. Hot shower, dry clothes. Sandwich & hot chocolate also helped us feel human again.

 Saw some beautiful scenery today! Was a tad concerned about getting phone wet so didn't take many as usual. We walked some ancient settlements that have no services - just houses & outbuildings:

 These are the most different colored hydrangeas I've seen!

While these are the largest!!

The first sighting of a Galicia storage bin!! There should be many more ahead of different designs. I will keep my eyes open & camera handy!

We sheltered from one downpour in this 'building' - this is the ceiling: boards with slabs of rock for the roof.

And this is the support beam - stacked rocks! Okay, long enough. It was a good day even with rain. Now to make plans for Sarria tomorrow. Leaving you with our first view of Samos - the Monasterio is huge: