36th day. Ponte Ulla to Santiago de Compostela

Monday 2014-10-06

Walked from Ponte Ulla to Santiago de Compostela, 21 km

Started 06:30 and finished 11:00 in SdC

My last day proved to be another test of my motivation and stamina. Started with a long steep uphill, 220 m elevetation climb over 5 km. I don’t know how many tricks I have had to move myself uphill. Looking down and not look up, counting steps, get a special rhythm between breathing and frequency of steps. I try to walk without stopping to rest. It worked almost all the way, except the last big hill just before SdC. I was so tired I had to stop and catch my breath. My walking friends seem to have it a lot easier uphill.
We finally arrived to SdC. What a relief. I booked a hotel for three nights at Galician Square and went to the Pilgrim’s Office to get my compostela.

In the evening with had our last dinner together.
Michel, 65 from France
Kevin, 61 from Australia
Marita, 46 from Sweden
Tom, 71 from Sweden

35th day. Laxe to Ponte Ulla

Sunday 2014-10-05

Walked from Laxe to Ponte Ulla, 29 km

Started at 07:00 and finished at 12:40

Remaining distance is 21 km

Laxe is at 460 m altitude. We started by walking down to a river at 344 m and then up again to 495 m to Silleda, where we stopped for a coffee. Lot of climbing these last days.
Today I did well. I did not stop to catch my breath in any uphill today. I guess I am loosing weight and gaining some strength.
Last night in bed I was thinking of what I would like to eat when I am home again.

34th day. Cotelas to Laxe

Saturday 2014-10-04

Walked from Cotelas to Laxe, 29 km

Started at 07:00 finished at 14:10

Remaining distance to SdC is 50 km

Not much to tell this day. Just banging these last up hill battles, but soon it is over. Only tomorrow and monday morning.
Still good weather, but little rain in the afternoon.
We came to a hughe albergue, but no one was here. We had to call for the hospitaliero and finally at four o’clock they came.
Went to the bar nearby and Kevin and I had a late lunch, with both red and white wine.
Went to bed at 19:30.

33rd day. Ourense to Cotelas

Friday 2014-10-03

Walked from Ourense to Cotelas, 24 km

Started at 08:00 and finished at 14:45

Remaining distance to SdC is 81 km

Today we had to fight the steepest hill on the whole VdlP. In 2 km it had a climb of 280 m, 14% gradient. It was my toughest uphill battle so far. I hope the worst is over now.
On top we stopped at a nice place called Casa Cesar. One of those enthusiasts, who serve coffee and drinks. Takes photos of the pilgrims and put them up on his walls. All on a donation basis.

We continued 2 km passed the target in the book (Cea) to the next town Cotelas, where there is a nice hostel

32nd day. Xunqueira de Ambia to Ourense

Thursday 2014-10-02

Walked from Xunqueira de Ambia to Ourense, 22 km

Started at 07:00 arrived at 13:00

Remaining distance to SdC is 110 km

This morning I didn’t feel well. My stomach is not in order. I questioned if I could walk today, but I didn’t want to separate from my friends. However it worked OK and right now I feel fine. It was an easy walk today mostly downhill and the weather was a little bit misty in the beginning, but warmed up when we came closer to Ourense.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ourense

31st day. Laza to Xungueria de Ambia

Wednesday 2014-10-01

Walked from Laza to Xungueria de Ambia, 33 km

Started at 06:30 and arrived at 15:15

Remaining distance to SdC is 132 km

Today was another uphill battle, 400 m climb in 10 km. At the top in Albergueria there was a nice cafe, where we stopped for coffee. Then a long downhill to a town called Vilar de Barrio, where we had some orange juice. At this point we still had 12 km to walk to Xungueria de Ambia.
Some nice herreros (for drying corn) on the way.

30th day. A Gudina to Laza

Tuesday 2014-09-30

Walked from A Gudina to Laza, 35 km

Started 06:30 and arrived at 14:40

Remaining distance to SdC is 165 km.

Walked most of the day at 1000 m altitude. Marvellous views of the landscape. We walked 20 km at this level and then there was drop in altitude of 179 m down to a town called Campo-becerros, where we had coffee and something to eat.
The final stretch to Laza was 12 km downhill and we finaly arrived to a very modern albergue. So now we are at 468 m altitude and tomorrow we need to walk uphill back to 895 m altitude.
Spme pictures from todays walk.

29th day. Lubian to A Gudina

Monday 2014-09-29

Walked from Lubian to A Gudina, 24 km

Started at 06:30 and arrived at 12:20

Remaining distance to SdC is 200 km

Lubian is at 1028 m elevation. This morning we had start walking down to 956 m elevation and direct up again to 1258 m. It is really a test of your motivation. Today I walked uphill without stopping one single time. It is a new record for me. I guess I have become stronger in my legs and lost some weight. I should also thank my walking friend, Meta Brandt for teaching me last year how to walk uphill.
Today we entered into Galicia. Here is a typical Galician milestone showing it is 241 km to SdC.

28th day. Puebla de Sanabria to Lubian,

Sunday 2014-09-28

Walked from Puebla de Sanabria to Lubian, 34 km

Started at 07:00 and arrived at 14:30

Remaining distance to SdC is 224 km

Today we have passed the highest point on VdlP. It is 1351 m and the mountain is called Sierra de Parada. We stopped in a village called Paroneldo for a coffee and thought it was only 7 km straight down. However it was a big construction site, which created a hughe detour of at least an extra 6 km. Instead of arriving at 13:00 hours as we thought it became 14:30.
It is sunday today and the only activity in town is bar, which is crowded with local people because of some festival.

27th day. Monbuey to Puebla de Sanabria

Saturday 2014-09-27

Walked from Monbuey to Puebla de Sanabria, 31 km

Started at 06:30 and finished at 13:00?

Remaining distance to SdC is 253 km.

I was little bit concerned this morning how I would feel, since I had stomach problems last night. It went well and I could could the speed og the others.
It is getting cold in the morenings now. Luckily we could buy gloves yesterday, in Monbuey.
Tomrow we will climb to 1350 m. I hope it will not be steep.