Vega de Valcarce to Samos

Day 50 Sun 11 May
From Vega de Valcarce (630 meters) to O Cebreiro (1300 meters) in 12 kilometers becomes a steep climb.  As soon as we left the bitumen we were on the remains of the Roman road that once ran to Astorga.  We remembered O Cebreiro as a cold misty and mysterious stone Celtic settlement in the mountains – a bit different this time on a fine sunny Sunday afternoon when many tourists visiting.  Next morning the fog rolled in and O Cebreiro resumed its old look.

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Ruitelán

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Las Herrerías, so called for its ancient iron works

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Church at Las Herrerías

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Roman bridge into Las Herrerías

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A horse can take you up to O Cebreiro

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BBQ and resting place

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Roman road on The Way

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A perfect day

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We are now in Galicia

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O Cebreiro church built on pre-roman remains

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Ancient Celtic house (palloza) at O Cebreiro

Day 51 Mon 12 May
We awoke to a beautiful fine day, but by 08:00 thick fog had rolled in giving O Cebreiro a strange and eerie feeling. The fog lasted until 10:00 as we climbed slightly before beginning the 700 meter descent to Triacastela. Another lovely day walking on paths worn deep by millions of pilgrims over centuries – 22 kilometers.

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Leaving O Cebreiro in the fog

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Statue of Santiago Peregrino

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Hospital de Condesa in the fog

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Fields of yellows wildflowers

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A primitive chapel, O Biduedo

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Galicia is green!

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Two pilgrims ready for anything!

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Galician dovecote

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Path worn by millions of pilgrims

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800 year old chestnut tree

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Arriving at Triacastela

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Church of Santiago, Romanesque 12th century, Triacastela

Day 52 Tue 13 May
Suddenly the winter woolies are out again, 5C this morning. After a few k’s on the road we were once more on a beautiful old path through the forest. It was only 10 kilometers, but we both had the blahs! What a surprise as we approached Samos and sighted the Benedictine Monastery from above. The Monastery, founded in the 6th century is magnificent, the biggest and most important in Galicia (if not Spain) and still home to 15 monks.

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Beautiful old path through the forest

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Once a mill - Renche

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No crapping in Lastres!

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In the tiny village of San Martiño, Romanesque church and cementary

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Benedictine Monastery San Julián, founded 6th century - Samos

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Monastery San Julián

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Monastery entrance, two towers are missing

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Inside the Monastery

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Cloisters, 16th century Gothic

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Modern murals cover the walls inside

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1000+ year old Cypress tree near a pre-roman chapel, Samos