26th May 2024 Samos to Barbadelo

It was another day when a choice of route had to be made again so after a lovely breakfast we headed out of town along the main road which also followed the river again so it was a wonderful start to the day.  There were a lot of rest areas next to the river and we soon got to the junction point. 

We had decided that we didn’t want to walk along the road all the way to Sarria so we headed off to the right and, about 10 minutes later, came across a couple who were coming our way.  They had decided they would take the road pathway as the path ahead was hard and muddy but we were up for a challenge!  It was a bit of a challenge as the track was churned up mud with lots of water puddles.  Thank goodness for waterproof boots and gaiters!  We wandered through a few small collections of buildings but not really enough to be called a village until we noticed some stork nests that have been missing the last week or so, and we were in the outskirts of Sarria.

Heading towards the older section of town we started to cross a road and noticed Ron and Esther sitting down at a bar.  We had been trying to work out where to stop for lunch and that made the decision for us.  We all laughed again as we keep running into each other and it is always great fun. 

They are both staying at Casa Barbadelo tonight so we made plans to catch up later as they were just about to head off.  After lunch, we headed up the stairs into the older, and last, part of Sarria and were constantly asked to have lunch in the various places but we just smiled and continued upwards.

Out again into the countryside and through some gorgeous forests and across a trainline we arrived at our accommodation for the night and what a treat!  Massive clotheslines in the sun!  I quickly showered and washed my clothes then hung them out and headed back to the room for a quick snooze as I didn’t get much sleep last night.

About 45 minutes later I went down to the bar/beer garden where Steve was sitting and spoke to Ron and was introduced to Jean-Pierre, a Frenchman who has spent quite a bit of time in Australia and has even had a flight with the RFDS after a motorcycle accident west of Brisbane ending up in surgery in Adelaide.

It was getting quite cold when the sun went behind the clouds so I headed back to the room to catch up on the blog for the last day or so before going back to sit with them as it was getting late (1815H) and the kitchen would shut at 2030H.  The lovely young men at the restaurant quickly put together a table for eight people as, in addition to Jean-Pierre, Steve and myself, we had Ron, Esther and a couple of other interesting people.

Dinner was delicious with the best Caldo Gallego I have had and a delicious and tender piece of beef shoulder.  Conversation flowed quickly among us all until the restaurant was being closed down around us so we said our goodnights and we will all catch up again about 0730H for breakfast.  What a great day!