44. Ponte Ulla

I have really enjoyed the company of these guys over the last few stages, and all of us are enjoying this fine summer weather and the long evenings that are a feature of Galicia in this time of the year - when it’s not raining!

 

We had pizza last night, and each different pizza was named after somewhere in Galicia. I had a few pieces of a ‘Santiago’ and it was delicious.

This was the view from my widow this morning - mist in the valleys with the trees on the ridges poking through.

It is a special experience to walk through Galicia on these misty mornings.

Am I supposed to walk around in a circle here?

Casting a looooong shadow. It was so long that my top half disappeared from the photo!

Pilgrim in the mist.



Louis and Andres.

In an hour or so the mist lifted and the sun shone brightly. There was a gentle breeze so it remained pleasant walking conditions.

Today’s two doors from villages along the way. 



Karina, this purple one is for you.

The final part of the stage wound down through forested paths and country roads to the rio Ulla.

Aussie readers will note the eucalyptus trees that are also present in this part of Galicia.

Here’s the railway bridge over rio Ulla. At its mid-point it must be a 100 meters high. It is a massive construction.

Ponte Ulla is a small village nestled around the bridge. These days it seems to be little more than a truck stop. It has a church, but by Spanish standards it is tiny.

Tomorrow, I will ascend out of this valley and on to Santiago which as this humble sign suggests, is not far away. 

When I walked in on the Camino Portuguese 18 months ago, Padrón was the final stage, so there was a nice connection in these signs.

Buen Camino

Neils