Twelfth Phase: Salceda to Near Monte de Gozo (Vilamaior) 18,97 KM

Friday, June 6th, 2014

We changed the routine the day before, since it was a short day. After almost 15 days of walking you train to the point that 20 kilometers seem like a short and easy day.

We left our albergue at 07h30 in the morning and started walking. We have to honestly say that since we were not in a normal french path stop, we didn't encounter that many people on the way but it was at least three times more than in the primitivo.

The day promised more rain, so we had to think carefully about where to stop because the idea was to strategically stop during the heavy rain.

The sky was dark along the first kilometers, the original planned stop was in Pedrouzo, but when we were getting to Santa Irene, we could smell the humidity... so we went into the first cafe we found and what a good decision, we went in and the sky fell down.

It was such a cozy place with excellent service and food. We met there our Australian friends, we used the time to exchange about the day before and some things about life.  My mom was sharing some of our stories, we are four kids and she raised us alone so she has a story for every purpose. The only kind of sad thing is that we didn't get the contact details of them, they were such a nice couple, we would have liked to stay in touch.

After that we continued with our path, but our luck didn't last long, it started raining, but at the begining was not so heavy so it was alright.

From Amenal to San Paio it was pouring and there was no chance to stop anywhere along the Camino and we didn't want to take a detour somewhere.

Before San Paio there is an uphill that mixed with the rain was twice as hard, I started to feel my ear and when I was about to say we take some rest under a tree we saw a cafe.... it was beautiful and completely packed with pilgrims, so we went in, had lunch, got some news papers for our shoes, and after a while when the rain was lighter we continued.

We had only 5 kilometers to go to call it a day and it was promised that our last stop was a very nice and small hotel so we were happy.

As always Emilia was dry and rested so she put on her rain clothes, took the bike, I pulled her with the rope and she was having a blast stepping into the mud splashing with her feet. Since it was the last day and her rainwear was very good, there was no problem.

The uphill to Vilamaior is not to be understimated... there was a cycling group where many had to start pushing the bike... we with our two manpower stroller were faster as some in that group.

We arrived to our little hotel and it was as expected.  My mom was tired and went directly into bed, we went to get an ice cream and we found the swiss couple that helped us the day before so we spent some time talking to them. They started walking in Zurich, that's an adventure.  After talking we realize there are many people that share our thoughts... to be really happy in live, you need a certain amount of money, but what you mostly need is time and people to enjoy your time with.

After getting a shower, Emilia fell sleep while drying her hair, so we left her with a skype session on the room to hear her from the restaurant and went to eat. Dinner was nice and we went to bed early having mixed feelings. We could feel the end coming but we wanted to keep on walking.

Log of the day:

06h30 - 07h30 - Wake up and preparation
07h30 - 09h00 - Walk to Santa Irene
09h00 - 10h00 - Breakfast at Santa Irene
10h00 - 12h30 - Walk to San Paio
12h30 - 13h30 - Lunch break at San Paio
13h30 - 15h00 - Walk to Vilamaior

Hotel we stayed at:
Casa Amancio, very cute, very good service - on the camino

Next Stop Santiago de Compostela....