Monday, April 25, 2016

Finally Rain!

Well as expected it was cold last night. Something about no heat and concrete make for a super chilly night. We got up with everyone else. By now we knew the routine. Get up and get moving! This is one time we did not argue. We wanted to get outside where it was probably warmer. When we made it outside we noticed it was raining. We had been lucky so far but today looked different. Since it was still too dark to ride we went to the bar across the street and got some coffee and breakfast. They served toast and jelly.  One of Dad's new friends actually video called his Dad who is 78 and told him about Dad trying to encourage him to walk the Camino with him in the near future. We also met a couple that we had originally met in Tracastela. They are from Manasses Virginia and were walking the Camino after hosting an albergue for two weeks. While my Dad chatted with everyone enjoying his celeberty status I went and retrieved our bikes. They had been stored in a garage around the corner. Finally we packed up and headed out in the rain. As we were taking off we met an older couple from Dublin and they were very inspired that Dad was doing this at his age. They actually left a few minutes before us on foot. When we passed them a few minutes later they literally ran out in the street packs and all and applauded as we rode by. It was exactly how they do it on the Tour De France when the riders are climbing up a tough hill and the spectators run and clap by the riders side. It was funny and inspiring all at the same time. What a send off from the town of Samos. Our first stop was in a large city named Sarria. It was only 12 kilometers away and it looked mostly down hill on our map however you really never know. We made pretty good time and ended up in Sarria about 11:45. We were both feeling the effects of all of the riding and two nights in bunk beds. We decided that maybe the best option was to have a short day on the bikes and stay in Sarria and just have an off day. It would get us out of the rain and give us time to do laundry and just over all get our act back together. We ended up in a nice hotel that had a bathroom in the room, sheets that were not disposable and they only expected us to sleep two to a room! Get out of here! We were living in the lap of luxury. The hotel backed up to a river and was right on the walking Camino path. Pretty cool all the way around. We took showers and while Dad rested I went and checked out our new neighborhood. There were all kinds of shops restaurants and cool stores. I saw many pilgrim walkers and a few yelled over as we had spent the night with them the night before. I went back and got Dad and we headed out to find a laundromat. We found one close to the hotel. When we went in we noticed that they had no soap. I went to a store across the street and bought the smallest one they had. As it would turn out the machines already had soap and it was added automatically. They had free wifi there and it was some of the best we have had on the trip. We video chatted with Lyn and Joanne, finished our clothes and headed back. Later we walked along the river and had some really good food for a late lunch. After lounging around we went and bought a few supplies at the grocery store and headed to dinner. It was a pizzeria and it was really good. Finally we headed home and turned in for a 10PM bedtime. We would finally catch up on our sleep. Not so fast at about 11 a huge party downstairs cranked up and went on till 3:00 am in the morning. Apparently someone had rented the venue and nothing was going to stop them from using it. We did mange to get 3 or 4 hours asleep before heading out for a big day full of more big climbs! We felt rested so we felt ready for the day. Buen Camino!





















2 comments:

  1. Benton the rockstar! (Benton is my son's name too!) that Camino sign at the river - clever - upside down sun looks like a shell!

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    1. That is really cool that your sons name is Benton. I have never met anyone with that name.

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