Under the plum trees: Big Fig Newton.

Okay as I signed off yesterday I had decided it was time for dinner. I ordered the menu dinner ... Chose first course, second course, drink, bread, dessert and coffee. ... 9€

This was a good start! ... I only had two glasses.

I think I finally had the kale soup ... The broth soup was considered Galacian specialty. It had kale and potato. Quite good.

The main fare I chose was chicken with French fries of course. There was so much I could not finish it.

That said there was room for the flan- almost a creme caramel, but not as sweet.

Back to the albergue just after sun set.

I met 'New-new'. I am not sure how he spells his name. He was from just outside Porto. And he was a fast walker, having walked about 50km that day.

We talked for a bit then he went out for dinner and I had a shower and collapsed!

I think shower then eat works better than eat then shower. Okay maybe I ate too much... None the less a lie down was needed and in an hour I felt better.

The next morning staff was on site to ensure we were out on time.... 0830 hr.

New-new and I walked for bit and both took pictures. It was a cold, crisp morning.

Yes a heavy frost...

And New-new headed off on his way...

This dog scared me... Startled is more accurate... He just appeared barking fiercely.

I don't think these grow on trees... I think they are hanging to dry...?

Not sure when the full moon was or is...

Sadly there was not a cafe open for morning coffee...

The not so mitey red river- rio tinto

It takes about 3 days in a country where you don't speak the language to feel confident in uttering the morning greeting to people that you pass... In a way that is local, rather than tourist. In other words more genuine rather than spouting the words.

The really neat thing- I think is when you see someone and you both sort of just kinda nod to exchange greetings. It's kinda like the steering wheel wave with more said.

Sometimes it's with someone you pass by close, sometimes with someone working in a far off field, once with a woman inside a second story window! Although she followed with a wave.

Somewhere around here an older man continued with the passing greetings .. Hola, or Buenas Dias. I told him I did not speak Spanish. He continued none the less. Was I going to Santiago? Was I traveling solo? He went on.. I said I did not understand. Then he hugged and wished me well ... I think...

A cool web.., not the best picture.

Lumber yard next to eucalyptus forest.

I saw this sign, but really this was the beginning of some really bad signage. I had to ask people several times if I was headed the correct way.

I travelled through woods, small towns, and suburbs.

Just when you thought it was dangerous to walk close to the traffic ... How about this guy who was walking down the middle of the road...

I finally found my morning coffee at a sport centre in Milladoiro after about 7km!

On the route of a catholic pilgrimage ... Thought it was interesting..

I followed this woman and her dog for bit. She was not interested in communicating.

I think I am almost there...

The Cathedral is in there somewhere ..

Someone was having fun with the arrows...

Usually when trails crossed I knew that I was taking the bigger trail. Many people have passed this way through the years, it was well travelled. Which is why I thought it quite odd that the trail narrowed considerably in the last bit before town...

Time to get lost in the city... I would hope at the end of this great journey the path would be well marked. Not so much..

That all said the route has changed. I had to walk down next to the tracks to a road that crossed them and then back to where I was- but on the other side.

And we travelled through a grimy ugly area...

I did not stop to take pictures of the ugly grimy houses as people were nearby..

There was a major water project going on near here.. Putting in huge concrete pipes.

Can't remember when my arrow got a tail

Just in case you are not well... We pass the hospital.

And the inner city school area.

There were hardly any markings as I travelled into the city. Asking people...

Finally a woman said .. In broken English keep going until you get to the old city...

Well that makes sense. This city is not old enough.

Just as I was getting near I could hear chanting. People were cheering me on!

Well maybe it was a sports game. Then it appeared, a large rally. I passed them later and asked someone and they said they were protesting education in Spain.

Yes they did all appear to be university age. But he could not explain the soviet flag?!

Finally the old city..

I asked a man where the cathedral was and he was almost going to lead me right there. I thanked him and headed off...

That's an old building... Houses civil servants now.

I saw another pilgrams and asked if he wanted me to take a picture of him. I did and then he took a couple for me.

Note the restoration work.

I travelled over 250km in two weeks through rain, shine, and minor injury...

Then I walked around. My guidebook told me I had to enter the Cathedral from the south... as I had come by the Portuguese Caminho.

Found a door on the sunny south side. And a German guy sitting outside and I asked if he would watch my pack while I went in. Mass had started about 20 minutes before.

Selfie..

Then I ran into Anne my German friend!

They had planned on leaving town today as they had arrived yesterday. But here she was to welcome me. :)

Well she was stuck doing a survey when we met!

I should add that pilgrams with their pack and sticks were everywhere!! I ran into my picture taking friend- he was from Brazil and had done the Camino Frances.

Anne showed me where to get my Compostela and I produced my credential and was given my Latin document staying that I had completed the Camino on Novemver 20, 2013

Anne and I exchanged numbers and I set off to find the hotel I had booked.