Downhill is the hardest

After the fog settled last night, it didn't lift. Seven of us stumbled out into the dark to have dinner in the only place open. The caldo gallego, a greens and potato soup (sometimes with beans) is fabulous. Very warming. And now for dessert we are being offered tarta de Santiago as well as the usual flan, rice pudding, ice cream. In fact we started the morning back at the same place, having coffee and tarta. And so we set out. Matteus and Andreu at 9am. 

Admiring the views......none to be had. 

And this is me with a very famous statue a few km down the road. 

There is a project afoot in Galicia to redo the markers so today I saw at least 30 of these. They are newly dug in and someone will come along and put the blue and yellow shell in the top section, a yellow arrow below it and then a brass plaque (usually) displaying the number of km from Santiago. Currently I'm 133.8km from Santiago. 

I walked for an hour with Lawrence from Portland and after our 10 am coffee, he blitzed. I told him to please not wait up for me as much of today was downhill and I had to go backwards. I finally stopped for lunch at the 18km mark and for 4.60€ this is what I ate, including beer!

I've now arrived at an albergue in Triacastela and I'm the only one here. I have a single bed, with no bunk above, right beside the heater. Luxury. There's also a hair dryer in the bathroom but I washed my hair last night so don't need it. First one I've seen though. 

I've rec'd a text from Nick, a Welsh guy, who's at a different albergue and he's going to pick me up to go hunting for food. Over and out!