Day 32 June 2 Thursday Portomarin

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Day 32 June 2 Thursday Portomarin

We left Sarria this morning at 7:30am with favourable skies. Although mid morning it looked questionable we managed to walk today without rain. Once here it did rain around 3pm although we were checked in at that point.

The number of walkers increased as we knew they would as Sarria is the last point one can start and walk through to Santiago 115km and receive their credentials as Camino Pilgrims.

Picture 1 shows another very old tree - one of many that border this wonderful trail.

Soon after leaving Sarria I came across the Albergue that I stayed in back in 2017. I actually walked by it - albeit marginally this time as it’s identification is somewhat obscure still. I guess they do not need to advertise like the others - picture 3

What was very neat was the pastured horse in the exact location as the mule was back in 2017- picture 2. Thinking this further the mule or now horse is not that stupid - as he is right on the Camino path for treats of apples etc from the pilgrims passing by.

Picture 4 shows more of the increased numbers on the trail. Talking to others who left Sarria around 8:30am it was very crowded on the path 

Starting at 115km in Sarria we were not long till we reached the 100 km marker. This is a new one since my last Camino - not defaced etc - like the old one of 2017 -picture 5

Picture 6 shows the first glimpse of Portomarin from the hill side. This is an old city in looks but actually a new city as the government moved it up on the hill so they could flood the basin for hydro generation - head pond at the Beladar dam on the Mino river.

Picture 7 if you look closely you see the old original bridge below which is usually submerged with the head pond normal elevation. Not sure why the head pond is so low? Picture 8 again shows the low head pond. 

As one crossed the new bridge to access the city on the hill one has to tackle these signature steps. My memory was vivid from 2017 when I climbed these steps with very sore feet only to find out our Albergue was back on the other side a km down the road. So back down and across the bridge I went. Then back up again for dinner and down to return for the night. Then back up in the morning as we continued on with the Camino. It was here where my son David joined in to walk through to Santiago back in 2017.

Picture 9 &10 show the steps to the city

As I mentioned the city was moved and one of the greatest of this move was the disassembling of this church San Nicholas shown in the last photo and reconstructed on the top of the hill. If one looks real close walking around the church one can see some of the stones still have their etched numbers which allowed the builders to assemble the church stone by stone accurately. The church is described as a Romanesque fortress church built originally as both a place of worship and defence with its four defensive towers and battlements.

We plan to attend pilgrim Mass at eight this evening.

The walk today of 25km was very easy and seemingly quick - shy of five hours. 

Friday we are off to Palas de Rei with another 24 km stroll- only four more days - arriving in Santiago on Monday

Looking back the days and weeks have flown by - what a privilege and honour it has been to have this opportunity to walk the St James Way - Camino with my great friend from Thunder Bay Ontario and the Vamino family I have been so fortunate to have met on this trip.

As a wise man told me in Rabanal back in 2017 - today you walk the Camino  - the rest of your life you will live the Camino

Till tomorrow 

Buen Camino