Day 9 - Wednesday 30th March

Today we walked about 19km and there was a lot less rain which we were grateful for.

The walk started off on the roads but then we spent most of the day on quiet back roads and some time in woods which smelt beautifully of Eucalyptus.

After 7km we stopped in Bundeira for breakfast (toast con tomato and toast with honey again) and some hot drinks as well which was a welcome break.

Today we did see two pilgrims in the distance but we didn’t manage to catch up to them.

12km later we came across a new albergue and bar and stopped to share a drink and a cake. The owner was very nice, he spoke good English and we had a good chat with him.

We were staying in Ponte Ulla that night and it began to rain as we descended into the town but we managed to get to the albergue before it started raining heavily. The albergue was in a Pension and beds cost us ten euros each but when we got up to our room it was one of the Pension rooms just without any bedding (we had the paper sheets the same as you get given in the Xunta albergues) or towels.

We headed down to the bar for dinner (platas combinades – I had bacon, pork, chips and eggs whilst Becky had fish and chips) and briefly considered going into the town for a quick look around but it was still raining heavily so we didn’t bother instead heading back to our room.

The room was lovely and warm as was the shower and we spent the afternoon watching Spanish TV and relaxing.

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

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