Camino 5: Sarria to Portomarin (24km - 49km so far)

Wednesday, 9th October, 2019.

"It is from inner encounter with the Lord that there originated the places and images of pilgrimage in which we ... can participate in what  they saw, in what their faith provided for them."
(Pope Benedict XVI Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for Every Day of the Year)

From Fr Michael's daily meditations.

Today I walked 24 kms, probably more than I have ever walked in one day in my life.  If you were to ask me how I feel, I could give you the brave answer or the truthful answer.  The brave answer is
"Great!"

Walking through the morning mist.

On the track with my new best friends, my hiking poles (thank you Helen - this is their second camino).  A pilgrim I met said it was like having four legs.  When you are walking where cows have been, you have to be extra careful where you put both your feet and your poles.

Every bend brings a new surprise.  Here is a Spanish piper playing Bolero.

I don't know why they give the distance to Santiago to three decimal places.  Now at three kilometres less than yesterday.

 Crops along the track.

Big pumpkins.

 Looking down on Portomarin, still a long way to go.

Through a village.

Getting closer - just across this bridge and we're in the town.

See that church at the top of the hill - our hotel is beyond it.

Crossing the river.

Once you crossed the river, there were these steps to struggle up.  The arch at the top is described in our handbook as "giving a friendly welcome to tired pilgrims arriving in Portomarin."  I'm afraid I missed the welcome, but the "tired pilgrims" bit was completely accurate.

This is Pearl from Singapore, a generation younger than everyone else on our pilgrimage.  Our hotel was a bit hard to find (and a bit up), so Pearl took it on herself to come dancing down the hill and showing us the way as we all came labouring along in dribs and drabs.

Here is Pearl escorting Irena and Michael from Adelaide to our hotel.  Irena is eyeing off the road up, which was very steep.

After everyone had partially recovered, we celebrated Mass in the church at the top of the town.  There were quite a few visitors in the church, and Michael invited them to join us around the altar.  This led to some very special and moving connections being made.