Day 28...Triacastela - Gonzar

We left the Albergue in Triacastela at 8:30 am. We started climbing immediately into green glens and forest. Fog nestled in the tree tops and misted moistening the stoney dirt path. Babbling brooks near and far while the birds sang to us. There were a few late pilgrim´s...it was that kind of lazy morning.

Along the way, I came to one of my favorite little stone buildings. This time it was occupied by Art, a watercolor Artist who had bought and taken residency. He had mortered the outside making it look new once again, the inside was small and done with simple elegance. He invited us in to have a look. Yes, it was an artist´s studio. A simple double bed, a small french chair with metal legs and wooden seat sitting in front of an open window with wooden shutters opened to a grove of trees and a small stream below, a small creme colored couch, a wooden table across from the couch with two wooden chairs. Simple Elegance. There were several small openings through the walls where he painted and placed cut glass to insert in the small square openings. He is there now but will not stay in the winter, it is not necessary for him to stay as it is cold. He dreams of having a studio and sometime teach classes. It was a wonderful stop for us and especially for me since I have adored this little building during my past two walks on the Camino. He is Blessed.

We continued walking up on the dirt path where eventually it turned into asphalt and then back to dirt in the scattered fog. I enjoyed watching the fog come up and over the hillside crossing the road and up the next hillside.

I called this the Valley of Silence...of Nature.

We continued walking to Barbadelo where we hoped to find a bed for the night. Yvonne had gone ahead of me as I tended to some business and eating in Sarria. She arrived about 2 1/2 hrs. ahead of me. When I arrived I discovered because of the new influx of people arriving in Sarria that there were no beds available. The Hospataler mentioned to Yvonne that the house below may have some beds. We checked and they did, so all was well for the night.

Sarria is the town that people from Europe start in on their short 10 day vacations because it is the last place they can start (approx. 100 km) before Santiago to get their certificate. So, now we are competing for beds in our last days on the Camino.

Much Love to everyone...AriZona on the road in Spain