This is the first day that we are walking completely inland, however Galicia Spain is beautiful, and today’s walk did not disappoint. Olga and I left about 7:15 to start our 9 mile walk. Typically, leaving Arcade (or any city in Galicia it seems) is up, up, up. We crossed the Puente Sampayo Bridge - a medieval bridge that crosses the Verdugo River between the parish of Pante Sapaio in the municipality of Pontevedra and the civil parish of Arcade in Soutomaior in Spain (obviously).
Once we finally stopped climbing out of the city, the trail began to look a lot like the walk in Galicia last year. Canopied dirt, rock or tree root paths along a small stream. The cover kept us cool even though the temperatures were forecast to be above 30 celsius by mid-afternoon.
Sunita didn’t join us on this walk due to the elevation change, the sun/heat combined with lupus flare, so she hung out in Arcade and drank coffee at the hotel before taking an Uber to Pontevedra where she would meet us. Olga and I arrived in Pontevedra about 10:45 and met her at a cafe near our pension. Then we headed to the central area to visit a couple of churches and see a bit of the city. Checked into our room around 2:00 to escape the heat. What a surprise to find the room had air conditioning! Did laundry, took showers then out for another trek around town and dinner.
Longer day tomorrow - see how I hold up.
Olga giving some Camino advice to a local……
Sunita lighing a candle for San Roque, the patron saint of dogs.
Street in Pontevedra, Spain
Couple of peregrines under a funny hat…..