23km (approx 9km for me)
Leisurely breakfast and then we are off on our walks. The keen and faster walkers walk right from the hotel for their 14km journey to the lunch stop. Paul, Leslie & I opt for the less onerous walk and start at the 6km mark.
The morning starts out with a beautiful fog settling over the fields making for wonderful ‘mysterious’ photos. The fog eventually burns off and we have glorious sunshine. It was perfect walking weather. We passed small meadows or farms enclosed by slate and rock fences and, combined with the rolling hills, the effect was heavenly. The tree covered lanes took us through small hamlets and villages – it was like walking back in time.
We arrive into the small village of Morgade and stopped for a cafe con leche and a snack, kindly provided by Paul. We are only a short distance to the lunch stop of Casa Cruceiro Ferrerios so we are pleased. About 1/2km along, Paul realized he has left his camera somewhere. I tell him & Leslie to carry on to the lunch place and I will walk back to where we think he may have set it on one of the rock walls. After a couple of kilometres back and yet another ‘undulation’, I resigned myself that I wasn’t going to find it. I am sure some kind Peregrino picked it up to turn it in, but to which village, which Albergue or hotel, we don’t know. Such a shame as photos are hard to replace. Both Leslie & I agreed to take photos for Paul and send them to him when we arrive home so he was pleased with that!
As we are now only 100km from Santiago, the number of Peregrinos on the trail has increased significantly. As each person passes they say Buen Camino and the whole atmosphere is a friendly community all walking towards the same goal. What a great feeling, we all felt the special atmosphere today, the camaraderie, almost a peacefulness – very special.
This is only Day 3 and I can see things happening, in myself and in others; mind shifts, ‘ah ha’ moments, achievements, compassion, camaraderie, friendships, laughter – it has been really quite magical! To me, this is what the Camino is about.
So yes we had a great day………..absolutely fabulous food at both lunch (Casa Cruceiro in Ferrerios) and diner tonight, great scenery, getting into our walking stride, staying at an incredible country manor house, but these pale to that special feeling we all seemed to feel today.
We are at the Casa Roan in Lodoso, a distance from the main road and Camino, which is an absolute gem. It is an old manor house from 1863 and was just refurbished in 2004. Each room is different and has loads of character. Jose, who owns the property is a fantastic chef and extremely hospitable host. We are the only guests here and several of the group want to stay on for good!
The weather was warm enough that the entire group relaxed in the back yard sipping drinks and enjoying ourselves so much we were late going in to the dining area! Tonight’s meal was a favourite amongst the group, fresh, tasty, and of course, plentiful. It was a lovely evening with great companions! Buenos noches. 😴