Doug and Dave walk the Camino de Santiago
Day 7, Wednesday, April 18, 2007
O'Cebreiro -to- Triacastela
Distance travelled today: 20.7 km, 12.9 mi Total distance walked: 127.8 km, 79.4 mi Distance to Santiago: 143.2 km, 89.0 mi
Today's walk took us along a ridge line at 1,300 m (4,300 ft)
and eventually down to 660 m (2,200 ft).
These photos are from Liñares, a town once known for the production
of flax for the linen trade.
Here a traffic sign alerts motorists that they are approaching a pilgrim crossing.
On the left, Doug has taken a photo of Dave taking a photo of an impressive
pilgrim statue at Alto San Roque. On the right is Dave's photo of the statue.
Alto San Roque provided many fine views of the hills below.
As we approach Fonfría, we came across an inviting fuente (potable water font)
and basin where several pilgrims gathered to chat and take photos. It was
important to know from our guide books where fuentes were located as
dehydration is a potential problem along the Camino!
Here is an old church in Fonfría, the hamlet being named for the
fons (font) fría (cold), back in medeival times.
Views as we come down into the río Ouribio valley towards Triacastela.
In places the path was steep. On the right is a truly gargantuan sweet chestnut
tree (see walking stick in photo) that seemed to grow out of a stone wall!
On the left, we get our first glance of Triacastela, where we spent the night
in the Municipal Albergue. On the right, a photo of an
"Antiguo 'Hospital' de Peregrinos" (Ancient 'Hospital' for Pilgrims).
Triacastela was an important stop for medieval pilgrims. It is mentioned
in the Pilgrim Guide of that time, the Codex Calixtinus written around 1140 AD.