Day 9(26): Sarria to Portomarín

Last night I met up with Laurie my Australian Friend and had beers and dinner at ‘A Travesia dos Sonos‘ which translates from Galician to ‘A journey of dreams’. There were many other pilgrims present, and the food was good.

This morning, I left my room at 7:55 and went to find some breakfast.

I found a cafe and had coffee and a Neapolitan. Then joined the Camino and passed loads of Alberges.

Img 6003 1 300x289 — Near the top of hill on the exit of Saria.

Img 6004 300x225 — View out over Sarria from the hilltop.

After coming down the hill we dropped onto a valley floor and were meandering beside a river and a railway line.

Img 6009 300x225 — The pilgrims stretch out in front but not too busy

Img 6010 300x140 — View across the valley

Img 6026 225x300 — Getting ready for Halloween

Img 6029 225x300 — Major drop here along a rocky gully as we descend towards Portomarin

Img 6031 300x225 — Pointe Nova de Portomarin

The next few photos show the bottom of the reservoir bed. A hydro electric dam was constructed in 1957 and the core structures of the old town like the church were dismantled block by block numbered and rebuilt to there current location 500m above the old town. The dam itself is nearly 40 km from the town.

Img 6032 300x225 — Clearly, they have had a dry spell as the reservoir is running empty.

Img 6036 1 300x225 — Home for the night.

Img 6044 225x300 — The church at Portomarín. That was deconstructed and reconstructed brick by brick

Img 6045 247x300 — The stained glass window from inside the church

Stats

Today

Distance: 22.96km

Elevation: 535m

Duration: 4h44

Totals

Distance: 227.13(701.66) Km

Elevation: 3,909(11,927) m

Duration: 47h36(149h55)

Heading to Palas de Rei tomorrow 24.8km. Extract from Gronze

“The trail follows the same pattern as yesterday, advancing through rural areas and passing through small villages. Pine and eucalyptus reforestation is beginning to give way to native forest. Although the gradients are generally moderate, in the first half of the stage, we ascend from an altitude of 350 meters to 725 meters.”