What a pity to leave my nice little room with my own bathroom and my very own power point to charge everything up ! But it was time to move on.
Looking up river towards the thermal springs there was a cloud of fog.
I met a Korean couple of about my age who had lived in Australia for 5 years some time ago . I was amazed to hear that they had left Seville a week after me and had stopped in Ourense for 3 nights. I thought they must have been speed walkers until they told me that the heat had been too much for them in the south and they’d skipped quite a bit using public transport .
There was a long steep climb out of the valley in which Ourense sits rewarded by a view of the city from the top.
I met a man up there watching over some sheep . He was interested in Australia and we had a chat about travelling .
I passed more interesting old villages
saw some more hórreos
and walked along some remaining pieces of medieval pathway.
About this time in my usual absent minded way I missed a turn off and had to use my GPS to find a wast to get back on track. Just when I arrived back on track, two locals told me I had come the wrong way. Thanks!
A weird garden …
Pumpkins 🎃 and firewood
This photo is a bit indistinct but usually feet take off as soon as they see or hear you . These two were a long way off and stopped still just long enough for me to take a photo.
Decisions , decisions
I took the route towards Oseira because I’d heard that the Cistercian Monastery at Oseira was an interesting place to stay.
The monastery is huge, there must have been hundreds of monks here once . I went to Vespers and there were 10 monks there, dressed in their white robes with the peaked cap as well as some local people.
The albergue is in a huge room in an unused wing with I’d say 10 metre ceilings, 40 beds tucked in the corner and me all alone.
Luckily the local bar was open and I ate very so so food at high prices. Just me alone again!
And almost forgot to say – I lost count of how many figs I ate today – so sweet and juicy !!
Paul's Walks Through Europe 
It must have been strange sleeping in that vast room all alone!
Almost there Paul. I will miss your very interesting blog. We who’ve followed your walk are fortunate because you’ve told us such a lot about the areas you passed through. I’d now like to do part if the walk- not the whole walk as you’ve done- more like the Korean couple! Cheating.
But as I’m not a bike rider and walking appeals perhaps I’ll choose a route. Thank you Paul for inspiring me! Walking is a recent thing with me and I can imagine family members falling over one another if they knew what I’m contemplating.
Will you be in Santiago tomorrow?
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Hi Vicki I’m just having a very nice lunch after walking 26km this morning ! I’m planning to arrive in Santiago on Thursday. I’d highly recommend the Via Sanabrés or part thereof – it’s the last 2 weeks or so of my walk
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I was telling a friend about your walk on the phone today Paul. I excitedly mentioned that perhaps she and I could walk a teeny part of your walk sometime next year in order to encourage her in her recovery from knee surgery. She was rather hesitant – I understandably don’t think I convinced her. But then- I have a new hip and I think I’m walking better than ever in my life! Yes- I think the last section of your long walk- the Via Sanabrés would be fantastic. I guess you have a lot of followers who are excited about seeing your record of your arrival in Santiago. I certainly am. Cathy will be glad to have you safely with her and hearing your stories of your pilgrimage.
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Hi Vicki I’m getting about 20 visitors a day which is a lot more than I’ve had with previous blogs . It is reasonably hilly here and I’ve slipped z few times on slippery rocks and fell once but maybe that’s because I was trying to walk too fast.
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Nearly there Paul. What an amazing time you’ve had.
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I’m glad I spent 6 months working in my Spanish – it’s made all the different
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