Triacastela to Sarria via Samos

Yesterday was a long day....18km to Sarria unless you took the detour to Samos, which we did, so it was 27km of undulating paths through forests, a few dwellings, cows and all in the sun! But some of those hills were black diamond!

The river/stream had wee falls all the way along. 

Six arrows, just in case we were lost!!

We entered a wooded area at one pointed and were still able to smell the smoke from a forest fire perhaps a month ago. Blackened trunks all over and a big fire stop ditch. 

A sign we hadn’t seen before, but useful I think. This was just past the sign below. Three lovely stone homes in a row where the road is quite narrow. Clearly there was s need for the sign above which is a shame. Why do people think they can use others’ property as a toilet?

So after12km, we reached Samos, climbing down into town as the bells rung 11:15. Of course, I was starving so ordered an omelette:

And gazed at the famous monastery. 

I had been here in 1999.  In fact Roberta and I had stayed overnight in the albergue and frozen. At that time there were 13 monks and now there are only 8. 

We met a nice couple of missionaries from Idaho who are now working in Á Coruña. While I was chatting with her, he paid for our tickets for the tour, so we had no choice but to take it. The beer making facility at the monastery had caught fire in 1951 and caused extensive damage to both cloisters. Spanish artists were hired to paint murals in the walls. 

As we entered Sarria at 5pm, quite exhausted, we walked up the 60 or so steps to the Rua Mayor where there were two pension albergues open. We walked into one that looked quite clean, were greeted warmly and given a 3 bed room to ourselves. Without unpacking, Les inspected one bed and then turned to find a bedbug crawling up the wall by the door. We were out of there in a flash. Down the 60 steps again and into the four ⭐️ Hotel Alfonso which we had passed 10 minutes earlier. 20€ more and worth every centime. 

Best sleep ever!!!