The last day of the quiet Camino as we prepare for an inrush of new pilgrims from Sarria for the final 100km!

A beautiful dawn again, cool and clear over Triacastela. Climbing almost right away, steadily and then unexpectedly steeply! Rewarded with glorious views across pastoral countryside rolling away towards the unseen Atlantic shoreline.

And the day continued along and down and down afain

We easily could’ve continued on past Sarria – this was probably the shortest day on the entire Camino. But we’d all had a long week of ~25km days every day, multiple mountains and less time than usual to recharge and recuperate, so this <20km option could be an active rest day instead. Sarria’s also the main starting-point for the “100km pilgrims”, as the minimum distance needed to still gain a Compostela certificate for having completed the Camino. This means the town’s full of fresh faces, people likely excited and nervous and curious about starting this walk; and it’d be great to experience a little of that magic.

So how’d those plans hold up to the reality? It’s been a fantastic afternoon of rest in the sunlit back yard of today’s albergue, with time for reading, chatting and planning for this last five – FIVE! – days of Camino.

Stats for today:

• 15.4km
• 351m ascent
• 593m ascent
• 1 afternoon spent lying in the sun