37. A Gudiña

Here comes the sun... Here comes the sun and I say, it’s alright...

Yes, dear reader, there was a break in the rain today and the sun shone! And the morning light in the forest was stunning.

Today’s stage provided all that yesterday’s promised but did not really deliver, including an extended ascent!!

Of course, there was still plenty of water and mud about. Dry feet were never an option, despite the occasional stretch of granite stepping stones.

For the first hour or so I climbed a beautiful mountain path, which sometimes was more of a creek than a path - lots of stone hoping.

Eventually I reached the pass - the true border to Galicia. After 900+kilometres of walking, I am in the final region of this camino, though still a way to go, even to Santiago.

There was some rain, after all, this is Galicia, but it was SUNNY rain!

The latter part of the stage opened out a little and resembled some of the high country in Australia - scrubby and strewn with granite boulders.

And, all along the path, there were wonderful bridges...

and interesting arrows...

and even an occasional interested cow - how’s the hairdo!!

The stage felt longer than it actually was, probably because there was so much climbing, but I arrived in good time and the sky was still blue so I took the opportunity to wash some of the stuff I’ve been wearing since the beginning. Yes, folks, this peregrino might even smell okay for a couple of days... unless it rains again, in which case, I’m stuffed!! 

A few final shots. 

Today’s feature door.

Some classic Galician stone steps.

And, another interesting wayside cross - note the ladder.

Buen Camino amigos and thanks for following along,

Neils

PS. It’s raining again. The Galician drought is broken!!