I hope you all know that I write these blogs when I am dead tired Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours (or more) to upload the photos and by that time I can't remember what I was going to write. I tell you all of this so you will forgive my grammatical errors.
I love petunias. And the ones in Spain smell like petunias. Ours seem to have gotten prettier but they have lost that wonderful scent. I always stick my nose in them after I look for bees.
Leaving Portmarín early this morning in a fog and I don't meant I was half asleep. I stayed in bed a little longer this morning (7:30) because I hate to see my trip end. I always hate getting up when it is my last week.
Art and wishes and photographs have been added to this simple cross by many pilgrims on their journey.
Today was a beautiful day, sunny and clear but still cold and windy. There was plenty of mountain climb. I saw lots of hikers limping or carrying their boots tied to the back of their pack. They were wearing everything from sandals to shower shoes to crocs. Bet their feet aare gonna be even worse.
This little chapel was open and there was a blind man providing information and allowing peregrinos to stamp their passport. Unfortunately, he didn't speak any English but he warmly held my hand and wished me "Buen Camino."
I wasn't allowed to take photos of the ancient altar but he gave me this card with a photo of it. Just as soon as I left, he closed the little chapel and left.
I those this little mushroom was so cute and that is a ladybug snuggled up next to it. There were several of these cute shrooms along the road.
I am fascinated but people pulling their packs. This appeared to be a home made job. Maybe an old golf pull cart?
Always appreciative of the yellow arrows and this was a double bonus: Santiago and a big yellow arrow.
WEll, I didn't have to speak Spanish to get the point. There was a big German Shepherd tied not to far from this sign and my guess was that he would bite your arse.
These two ants were at a alburgue and bar. Giant ants...they were.
This Church was closed but I thought it was such a beautiful setting.
Finally I made it to Palas de Rei. 18.1 miles and 41,581 steps. This wooden storage unit was at a house in the town.
San Tirso church. According to shipoffools.com: "San Tirso, or St Thyrsus, was an early Christian martyr, sentenced to be cut in half with a saw for his refusal to offer sacrifice to pagan idols. However, tradition has it that the saw became so heavy that his executioners could not use it. Instead, they tore his arms from his body and gouged out his eyes, and then dragged him before a statute of Apollo, which immediately toppled over. Tirso's relics were transferred first to Constantinople and then to several churches in northern Spain. He is usually depicted in art as holding a thyrsus (the staff carried by the wine god Dionysius) in one hand and a saw in the other."
The main altar. To the side of it were baskets labeled in different languages and filled with slips of paper. I drew one out (I'll bite) and mine said, "'Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.' (Mc 3.35)." I always feel that the other pilgrims are my family on the trail so this was appropriate.
Just under these stained glass windows was a lovely man who was providing stamps for the pilgrims who came in to pray or visit. He spoke some English and I accidentally dropped my credentials and he picked it up for me and said, "You have traveled far, let me."
And lastly the tribute to Santiago!
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