← previous                                                            next →

6th October, 2019

• Day 29: Sobrado dos Monxes to Santa Irene
• Distance: 33km
• Weather: Overcast and cool
• Accommodation: Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene, €6

It’s the penultimate day and I wake all alone in my room. It’s 7.30am, it was so quiet and dark that I’ve slept in. I start the process of repacking my bag, praying that the problem is solved and I don’t get bitten again. It’s a shame that I missed everything at the monastery, a tour of the church, the vespers, the morning service. I’ll have to come back, even if it’s just to thank them for their kindness.

I’m part of a family of five now, Sigrid, Barbara, James and Philipp and we all decide to head to Santa Irene today via Brea, but not via Arzua. This means we’re delaying joining the Camino Frances as long as possible and will only have one full day on it tomorrow, walking into Santiago. I’ve walked the Frances twice so I’m not bothered at all by not joining it and would prefer to see new scenery.

James kindly waits while I pack and we have breakfast nearby. It’s a cool and misty morning.

A misty morning view looking back at Monasterio de Sobrado

There’s limited services again on this stretch and I’m starving by the time we get to A Gándara after 10km. It will be almost another 20km before we find another cafe so we stop and have lunch.

Chestnuts and countryside views

We’re reunited with everyone at the municipal albergue in Santa Irene and go for dinner together at the one and only bar nearby. It’s celebratory but melancholic. I’m ready for Santiago but I’m not sure the others are.

← previous                                                            next →