Where to start 🤔? Get a coffee- it’s a long one ☕️.

Ok there are 3 ways allowable to make Camino – and gain your “Compostella” – the elaborate certificate at the Cathedral Pilgrim Office in Santiago. If feet are not cooperating then you have the centuries old way of Horse or Donkey or a recent introduction- a Bike. Anything else does not qualify- and as I’ve made 650k mark I’m not going to start calling an Uber now ! 😆

So what to do when I’m in the valley of Las Herrerias de Valcarce and the next day has a notorious climb to O Cebreiro ? Decisions to be made over dinner in the marvellous Albergue Casa Lixa .

Camino makes resourceful people such as Lucia (Parma , Italy) Julia ( Germany) and Maria …. from Astorga but speaks Scouse 🤣 and knows Southport well ! Plus Abby i think (USA )

Decision made ! – oh yes …..

Bloody terrifying 🤣 but a memorable way to officially enter into Galicia !!!

…….. Into Hilltop village of O Cebreiro and my first taste of Galician “Pulpo” at the top of the Mountain with people I met along the way .

Mika on the right – Icelandic – via Doctor in US army , Neurologist , retrained as Psychologist – genial genius

Robin – Without a word from me – Nurse from Düsseldorf- (accent😆) Zomething is not right with your foot “Iron” ? ( breaks out Medic Kit 💕)

Love Camino people and Robin and Hannah his girlfriend are so typical . They camp as have little money – but share what they have . I repay with Ice Cream and Beer 😎.

I’m staying on top of the Hill tonight – it’s super quaint – this is the supermarket!

My Alberque too is really good – friends of Victor – the horse guy – Good man to know ✅

Next steps ? – the following day I see a sign for bike hire – it’s a clear choice – especially when I see the downhill route profile – Hurrah !

I leave late morning as I have an amazing brunch reunion with Brigitta , Martin , Donna , and Co’ – all too short as I’m cycling and I’ll comfortably cover twice the distance . Swear to meet in Santiago as they take scenic different route to me and I have the speed now to build in rest days .

Onto the Bike – such a comfort – feeling good – beautiful view above clouds

– a few hills …… and yes !! – 20 minutes of happy freewheeling- a 10k downhill into …….. Oops the wrong valley. 😳 i wondered what those Farmers were waving 👋 and shouting as I shot past ! 🤣 . Ok what to do ?

👍🏼 Same farmers 20 mins later – hitch a ride back up – me AND the bike – lovely people .

…. shoot through Triacastela- get word friends having Lunch – lovely salad and Cerveza with Tatiana and Kenny ( Belgian Military attaché – Paris !!) and Carolina .

…. and on another 25k and into Sarria . Pushed it up a couple of hills 🤪 . But feeling fit and back on schedule

– ….big town – yummy sweet things my girls would like 👅

And into the most hospitable family at Alb’ Casona de Sarria. Booked me another bike , ran me to get foot checked by Doc’s ( all good healing well , no worries , “Bike good , Walk no for 3 days ” – ok I can do that ! 👍🏼 , ) nice to get the all clear officially.

Late night coffee and laughs with owners – Sisters – Marcella on right – well after other Pelegrínos have gone to bed . (Rest day tomorrow 😃)

Which leads me to now – sat on the corner of Main Street and Callé José Antonio – close enough to John Anthony ! – Cheers Dad 🍻

Where I meet Arnie – coincidence – last seen with his wife Anna in Leön !! We swop war stories over coffee as he broke his foot ! While a small dog takes a liking to mine 😊

Feeling Good , Feeling Fit …… 👋 until next time xxxxx