93 km
The time I start the day is at 7:00 am. That is just before sunrise in the area I am. Because I slept at over 1000 m again, it was cold and I had breakfast in the tent.
As I left, the sun just started shining. The road was ascending further to over 1300 m and I was happy for my decision, not to cycle to the next albergue.
In a small village Liñares people were waiting for the church. I went inside and got the first stamp for today. Then further over a 1275 pass to the highest point for today at 1335 m, the Alto do Poio. People without luggage were astonished, that I managed those passes. In this high area I had splendid views over the valleys to higher mountains in all directions.
Then there was a long and fast descend to Samos. In this village is an enormous Monastery and church with external stairs like a palace. I had my lunch near some pilgrim sculptures.
The route to Sarria was descending, but in the town itself it went uphill again. I avoided the pilgrims footpath for the way up because I expected stairs on that way, but my alternate route was also very steep. From the point I reached the footpath in the center I wanted to go to the church that I missed. A landlord of a pub saw me going into the ‘wrong’ direction, and came out of the ub to tell me. Anyway, the church was closed. Now I continued in the correct direction, passed a castle and then arrived at the Mosteiro da Madalena with a nice front and a mosaic in front of the entrance. In the albergue of the monastery I got a nice stamp in my credential.
Now the pilgrims footpath and the cycle track were separated for a longer distance and the villages were less interesting, like Paradela.
On the bridge over an artificial lake both pilgrims routes joined again. From the bridge I had a nice view over the lake and the town with it’s church. The water level of the lake was not high and on the shores remainings of old buildings were visible.
After the pilgrims arrive at the bridge head beneath the town, they may ascend nice chairs to a small chapel. Now the cycle route started ascending again to Alto do Hospital and from there the pilgrims path for pedestrians and cyclists only. Because there are no campings here I started to look for an albergue, but they were full. In Airexe I asked if I could pitch my tent in the grass of the pilgrims picknick area – no problem. For theorice of a bed I might use the showers, bathroom etc. Instead of the bed the landlady gave me some postcards. And I am happy to sleep in my own tent.
Three Italians I had seen from time to time since Astorga and they saw me managing a very steep street in that town, said I must be a strong man and made a group photo with me. Btw they are travelling with nearly no luggage and are accompanied by there uncle in a camper.
Paul
The time I start the day is at 7:00 am. That is just before sunrise in the area I am. Because I slept at over 1000 m again, it was cold and I had breakfast in the tent.
As I left, the sun just started shining. The road was ascending further to over 1300 m and I was happy for my decision, not to cycle to the next albergue.
In a small village Liñares people were waiting for the church. I went inside and got the first stamp for today. Then further over a 1275 pass to the highest point for today at 1335 m, the Alto do Poio. People without luggage were astonished, that I managed those passes. In this high area I had splendid views over the valleys to higher mountains in all directions.
Then there was a long and fast descend to Samos. In this village is an enormous Monastery and church with external stairs like a palace. I had my lunch near some pilgrim sculptures.
The route to Sarria was descending, but in the town itself it went uphill again. I avoided the pilgrims footpath for the way up because I expected stairs on that way, but my alternate route was also very steep. From the point I reached the footpath in the center I wanted to go to the church that I missed. A landlord of a pub saw me going into the ‘wrong’ direction, and came out of the ub to tell me. Anyway, the church was closed. Now I continued in the correct direction, passed a castle and then arrived at the Mosteiro da Madalena with a nice front and a mosaic in front of the entrance. In the albergue of the monastery I got a nice stamp in my credential.
Now the pilgrims footpath and the cycle track were separated for a longer distance and the villages were less interesting, like Paradela.
On the bridge over an artificial lake both pilgrims routes joined again. From the bridge I had a nice view over the lake and the town with it’s church. The water level of the lake was not high and on the shores remainings of old buildings were visible.
After the pilgrims arrive at the bridge head beneath the town, they may ascend nice chairs to a small chapel. Now the cycle route started ascending again to Alto do Hospital and from there the pilgrims path for pedestrians and cyclists only. Because there are no campings here I started to look for an albergue, but they were full. In Airexe I asked if I could pitch my tent in the grass of the pilgrims picknick area – no problem. For theorice of a bed I might use the showers, bathroom etc. Instead of the bed the landlady gave me some postcards. And I am happy to sleep in my own tent.
Three Italians I had seen from time to time since Astorga and they saw me managing a very steep street in that town, said I must be a strong man and made a group photo with me. Btw they are travelling with nearly no luggage and are accompanied by there uncle in a camper.
Paul
