After 5 hours on the train from Leon we arrived into Santiago de Compostela. Well there could not be more of a contrast between the Meseta we left behind and Santiago de Compostela. We left a brown, dry, sunny landscape, to arrive in cloud covered, green, lush, humid environment. We woke to find it was raining, bucketing down. We made sure we had all our rain gear, and prepared for the worst. After breakfast the rain eased so we took the opportunity to head off.
Starting at the steps of the Cathedral we quickly left Santiago de Compostela behnd. Walking through green pathways, over rolling hills, did I say hills, I mean MOUNTAINS. Having walked the Meseta, for a week over relatively flat ground we forgot about the Spanish Mountains.
We stopped for a quick cafe about 6km out of Santiago de Compostela, after crossing our first mountain (Monte da Costa) and then set off through narrow village roads, and tracks through green hills. Until we hit Alto Mar do Ovelias. It felt like it was almost straight up and took over 2 hours to cross. No photos here as we were too exhuasted to take any.
We stopped at Ponte Maceira for lunch, on the banks of the rio Tambre.
Fortunately we were under cover as it Bucketed down again for about 15 minutes. We put on our ponchos and soldiered on. Did I say it was humid, wearing a poncho made me feel like steamed dim sim, I think I started to go white and wrinkly.
Walking out of Ponte Maceira we left the side of the road and walked under a hidden arch in the forest.
The walk continued through Eucylptus rain forest all the way into Negreira and yes we had to walk up another hill to get to the village.
We made it to our hotel without too many dramas, and have settled in to our usual routine of showering, rinsing out sweaty clothes, and then to the bar for a refreshing bevy.
Tomorrow needs to be an early start as we have a long day’s walk ahead of us, over another mountain range.
Russ and Jan's Camino 