We had some of the best walking today as we finished our first five days before our rest day.
Our journey took us along the Río Oribio which became the Río Sarria. There were many side streams joining the river which gradually increased in flow. At the beginning of the walk, the rocks were weeping copiously with water.
Initially we had to walk alongside the road which is never ideal. At San Cristovo de Real we started walking along a lovely old track. The village itself had a fascinating old character surrounding the church. Many of the old buildings look in need of attention. The river was controlled with weirs and leats implying water mills in the past.
Our path took us along a delightful long used track. It was lined with a stone wall which must have been a major undertaking.
Our first stop was at the Benedictine monastery of San Xiao at Samos. At one time there were 500 monks living here.
After Samos, the path took us through very quiet tracks and roads. We didn’t see one vehicle on the roads in this middle section.
It was a long day but we were pleased to arrive in Sarria in good form with a rest day ahead.
In this evening’s hotel restaurant there were several large groups presumably all getting ready for the 100 km walk to Santiago. It will be interesting to see how the feel of the pilgrimage changes with the influx of many new people.
Julian and Beryl's camino 