Arrived in Ventas de Naron around 11:00 with no problems - rain clouds were appearing which had pilgrims scurrying to get rain gear on but fortunately the wind carried the clouds away!!

 

A nice sunrise around 8:30 this morning leaving Gonzar. It was a nice walk - short, 7km - but some up before leveling out. So many people are on the trail now that I didn't have any time today of not being in sight of someone else!! Walked with two Canadian ladies, Chris & ?. Already can't remember --- so many names & faces!!  Was passed by Tom & Carolyn from CA yesterday - we started in St Jean together!!! They have had rest days & I've taken buses so met up again!! In Portomarin, a.lso ran into the Danish girl that is walking with British John & Martin that I walked with a bit back before Sahagun. It is fun! 

As I was sitting here in cafe, a group came up the path carrying a large cross - they prayed & placed in front of tiny chapel. The bus that seems to be with them has Lithuanian plates. The German group yesterday was also carrying a cross but smaller than this one.

 Have also been passed several times by the same young man with rosary in his hand and since he doesn't speak, I assume he is saying the rosary as he walks. Two young men passed me three days ago - it seemed that one was chanting with the other one responding. They both inserted a Buen Camino to me without breaking candace. Those moments make the original meaning of the Camino come to life.

Agriculture & milk cows in this area.

Even Coke Cola gets it the Camino spirit!

The top of hill with Canadians!

 The way

 Beautiful sky!

The specialty soup of the region 

The bedroom tonight

The Albergue for tonight. My pack arrived some time ago so I will go shower and do a little laundry. It just started raining so am very glad I'm in for the night!!!

These pilgrims are going on - probably 6-7 miles more down the road!

It's official!!! Russell sent an email with flight changes!!! I am now leaving Spain on Oct 23!!! This is a great relief - will have time to arrive into Santiago slowly and then have plenty of time to visit Pilgrim's office (can be very long lines), attend mass, take a bus tour to Finnesterre ( end of the world!), etc. Okay, I must start today's walking  - only going a few kms but uphill!! Everyone got a good laugh last night when I was arranging pack shipping & reservation - they kept saying , 'but it is only 5 kms!' I pointed to my knee, my hair & made uphill gesture!! Comprehension dawned!! Sunrise has arrived at 8:38 am!!!  Have a great Saturday!

I made it to Gonzar - my packback has not as of yet!! A phone call found out that it should be here in an hour which is fine as long as it shows up - my schedule is in it...don't have a clue where I want to be tomorrow!!! Another lesson learned to have address  & phone # of place last stayed with me!
The night with the German children went well - I never heard any of them until 6:30 this morning - no whining or complaining from any of them!!  I then had the place to myself to get ready for my trek to Gonzar -- a treat!  Several days ago 6-7 tour buses of Germans arrived on the Camino!! They are from Munster - 400+ strong!! Many of them passed me today & are now ahead so shouldn't see them again. The quietness & solitude of the Way is rather compromised with that number staying together...

See all those pilgrims? Crossed a smaller, less scary Bridge this morning.

The waymarker in Portomarin with somewhat worn shoes!

Sunrise today

But foggy in the woods! The yellow kerchiefs are the Munster group

Tolkien anyone?! Can you see the cobwebs and mushrooms in it?

The fog is clearing around 10:30

Home for tonight

Bedroom for tonight

Church in this tiny hamlet - very agriculture oriented.

No wi-fi at Albergue so might not be back up to roadside bar tonight. Now to go see if pack has arrived - need long pants as getting chilly!!!

'Home' from mass - it was under 30 minutes! So even non-Catholic me could handle that. A 12th century church that was moved when a dam was built.

This morning was another lovely foggy day. Started walking about 8:30 -

Was alone on the path most of the 3 1/2 hrs. There weren't even too many passing - most came on to Portomarin yesterday. So lots of quiet solitude to enjoy life!

 This is a Galicia storage unit - some fancy, some average & some ancient -

Things I saw today -

Bags of apples that were gathered from ground & trees

This dog traveled with me about a block's distance or perhaps I looked suspicious & he was really escorting me out of his territory!!

The weather cleared mid-morning but still

cloudy so great walking...

A grape arbor

Pilgrims share the path which sometimes are roads with others

Portomarin in the distance - yes, there was a long descent but on paved road so manageable. Good night - I think the children are in bed now so I will also do the same.

Made it to Portomarin!! Just about wasn't able to enter the town - had this to face:

I walked very slowly across the bridge which was very high & long and spanned a wide river with large expanse of riverbed!! Then rested before tackling the stairs - no handrails. I definitely have developed a fear of heights - I get the sensation of going to fall...but that doesn't pertain to zip lining, hot air ballooning, or parasailing!! Go figure - guess if I'm harnessed in, I know I can't fall. Yesterday I got the willies just crossing this:

At least today's had a railing!! Then once I found the Albergue where I had my pack shipped, discovered that they were complete (full) so hefted the pack & tried the one next door - also complete but they were helpful & gave me name of a place. Of course it was uphill!!! There were 5-6 tour buses parked along street which made me very nervous - I had foolishly decided that I did not need a reservation. So at first sign, I stopped & they had a bed!!! 

And guess where the room is? Yes, up the hill to right!! Towns that are on hillsides are so picturesque - until you are carrying a pack & afraid there is no room at the inn!!

I was only person so had quiet, calm shower. And had choice of 18 beds so got lower bunk by window!! I thought this pile of bags was on the way out - no, 10 German children & 6 adults will soon be arriving!!! Well, two adults & 5-yr-old Adrian are already here making beds & organizing food, etc.!!

It will be interesting once all arrive!! The young woman speaks very good English & kindly invited me to eat with them. I declined as clothes are done washing & hung out to dry in the warm sun! So I'll rest a bit then walk to central square & see if I know anyone! The tour buses brought 500 Germans to town!! I'm fortunate to have a bed!!! Have reservations made in Gonzar for tomorrow night!!!! 

A bright spot in a foggy morning early today! More in another post...