The local Druids, these areas occupied since Neolithic times, believed that the force which commands the world,revolves around four elements; any place which,by magic,brings them together will be a synonym of the wetness
of true freedom, a place where its inhabitants will be happier than anywhere else. Earth, Wind and Fire and Water: the four elements…..We walked past the famous ASANTO shipyards meaning” Shipyards and Workshops of the Northwest”,eventually arriving at Cabanas and its beautiful beach; Roger calls our first refreshments a ” Sharpener” which we enjoyed in a beachside bar, chatting to a locally adopted Tyke, would you believe, whose grandparents had settled there 30 years ago; he felt quite at home, though personally, I find it hard to take seriously anyone who wears a baseball hat back to front.
cWe then entered Pontedueme,via the 600 metre long, ancient bridge.Had a very bibulous evening and a fine dinner in our digs, Hostal Bar Luis.
Walked on towards Betanzos via Mino and up some challenging inclines.A couple of coffee stops provided both relief and sustenance; Hannah’s biscuits had gone down well and Roger had finished a week’s supply already! By chance, in Mino we found ourselves opposite the Turismo, where we were given good advice and encouragement by Alba.
These two days were the most challenging walks I have ever achieved,compensations were the scenery and the never failing cheerfulness of my three compadres,Mac, Derm and Roger, because the tendinitis was now affecting my heel – Solvitur ambulando” – “It is solved by walking” Apparently said by Saint Augustine
He obviously never walked the Camino Ingles! Not that I should have missed it for all the world.All Caminos are unique,this one characterised by the Rias, the forest trails littered with Chestnuts and Acorns, plus the occasional opportunity to do some foraging – that’s a posh term for ” scrumping” -grapes, apples and even figs, overhanging walls. My three fellow Pelegrinos…
We had a relatively luxurious stay in Hotel Garelos,where Begonia, the receptionist,was both garrulous and charming; quiet time of year,I think.
At last we left the Rias behind sadly, and headed ,seemingly never endingly,upwards, taking in a long stretch of grand vistas,desperately hoping to find a place for refreshment- that proved to be my best kept secret…
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