Good Morning 2016

Good Morning 2016! I'm fueling myself this fine day in an effort to get going and tackle what looks to be a frigid but beautiful day.  We received an additional couple of inches of powdery snow overnight which seems to buffer most noises from down below.  The New Year was spent down on Puget Island (still in Washington state) thats situated uniquely in the middle of the Columbia River about an hour West of Portland, Oregon.  A brief but enjoyable trip to meet friends of friends to bring in the New Year.  The folks their at Blue Sky Farms had just erected two long hoop houses to be used in the coming year.  Once inside their welcoming home we simply had dish after dish of wonderful foods.  I can't recall the last time I was introduced to so many delicious flavors and textures, and I can't seem to think of which one was my absolute favorite, hmmm.  Perhaps the fresh lemon curd tart just before the departure.  I look forward to returning to the farm in the coming year in hopes of joining in on some of the work parties to do what ever is needed.  Perhaps I can share some of what I've learned through Growing Veterans and gardening up here in the mountains.  As much as I enjoy the coziness of the feet upon feet of snow and a roaring fire I look forward to Spring to hopes of having the most success full year of harvesting yet!  Perhaps it's a good day to get back to planning and design. Time to refill the thermos and toss another log on the fire, and perhaps shovel and chisel some snow to get my blood flowing.

Santiago de Compostela

After a full days hike of nearly 30 km we hiked from a small town just east of Santiago to the aeroporto to await David's arrival from Seattle.  We took a taxi back to the pension, and after all getting settled back in had dinner at the Del Casa de Amancio.  Pardon not telling fotos of our feels but you'll have to trust the cerna y' patatas were tasty along with the house wine and a pastel Castelon (an almond cake) which can be eaten any time of day!

The next day we woke early before the break of day and walked the short day of 6km and change to the center of the city to the Cathederal of St. James, one if the 12 apostles. Upon arrival into the modern part of town David began to feel ill and so we took our time on this beautiful day as we were in no rush to find ourselves among the masses.  A time later when we did arrive a foot race e had begun outside of town and ended running through the historic part of the city and ending at the plaza right at the entrance to the cathedral.  The event however fantastic kind of stole the thunder from the peregrinos (pilgrims) who had trekked

Along the many hundreds of km's to this sacred spot, only now it was

Inundated with a mod of hundreds and blaring music.  So instead we made

Our way to peregrino center to receive our final sello (stamp) and have a hand enscribed Compostela made out with our names in Latin.  Next on the menu was to find some fresh fruit and café con leché for the accomplishment, especially Pablo since he'd just achieved some 1001km, amazing!

Una dia mass...

We woke to a steady rain and the cheers of a Friday nights pub that hadn't quite closed. But before starting on the camino we found a cafe for a coffee and pastry to get the day started, then off we were.

The rain let up after a short while and a slowing grey lifted and a faint light of the day introduced its self.  We had a full day ahead of us as we had a 28-30km ahead . Around 1300 we stopped for some sandwiches and yet another coffee when we heard a strange sound, it was that of a heavy downpour and pilgrims heading for cover. Pablo and I looked at one another and thought it be good to extend our afternoon break with a piece of cake and espresso before reintroducing ourselves to the camino.  The remainder of the day was spent heading toward the aeroporto in the outskirts of Santiago.  We headed an additional 3 km west to a small village where we had an actual room at a pension. We cleaned up and returned to the aeroporto to await the arriv of David who was flying in from Seattle to also join Pablo on his final arrival into Santiago tomorrow morning.A quicker return by taxi to the pension and join other peregrinos in a local dinner of croquettes patatas and pork with more patatas.  Now it's off to sleep for the three of us to climb a local hill for sunrise to witness the cathedral of Santiago  before making the final 10km ascent.

San Xulian -> Arzua

A good nights rest at a well kept secret Albergue in the hamlet of San Xulian, a week ago the place had been packed all season and tonight it was but a third full.  So a quiet shared room with only 3 other mates made for a quiet evening. A simple but fresh breakfast of café Americano and fresh peasant bread with butter and jam, nothing more was needed.  We set out again in the dark but day break was soon to follow. About an hour and a half into the days trek in Campinilla we had our second cafe and a shared pastry.   The day continued to warm into the low 70'sF but the suns direct rays felt much warmer. After a sharp ascent to another small town just after 1300 we agreed lunch was in order.  So the first stop we found a shaded place to sit and order the a common and filling  billango (sandwich) of jamon (ham more like prosciutto and queso) on a healthy fresh French bread. You simply can't go wrong, a cerveza con lemon to accompany the meal.

We enter our final city of Arzue to stay for the night. The entrance to the town was abrupt, from farmland to 6 story apartment buildings and an industrial feel unlike previous towns we'd come across. eventually we find the old part of town and an Albergue that seemed to draw an older crowd rather than that of the younger and more party types.  I suppose we'll see later tonight.  Tomorrow we set out on the last long leg of 28-30k and check in just outside Santiago's municipal aeroporto and after cleaning up make a 3km hike back to to away the arrival of David. We will join in the final approach into the grande finale for most peregrinos to the city of Santiago de Compostella to the Cathedral of St. James.

Is REI really a Palace?

Today was a rather longer day with about a 30k day of rolling hills from Portamarin to Palais de REI. But we actually traveled a few kilometres further to the quaint hamlet of San Xulian, upon recommendations from other casino family before us.  

Upon checking in, showering, and washing clothes it was time to bask in the sun with a cool cerveza and chat with other pilgrims. Later in the evening we had a wonderfully home cooked camino dinner at the Albergue along with a warm fire place settling us all in.  A good nights sleep is sure to be had, and this place marked as a place to return some day. 

 

Sarria to Portamarin

Today we had a casual hike from the bustling town of Sarria, along rolling hills and through small hamlets with that every once in while gave glimpse to quaint embedded Roman churches.  Lunch was had with a strong espresso and tuna pastry as fuel.  We finished rather early in mid afternoon, and after finding a Albergue to stay at for the night and cleaned up, we walked around the village.  Historically, the town was relocated during the Franco years from the banks of Rio Míno up along the east bank due to the construction of a dam up River.  Walking down below revealed a bridge still passable far below the modern viaduct the public drives today.  Also along the banks and in the river lay profound ruins of what Portomarin prior to its relocation.