Pont Ferriera – Melide

Last night we stayed in a cozy guest house meters away from the old Roman bridge (pont) crossing the stream ( the population of this metropolis at last count was 883 ….. perhaps the mountain of fresh flowers we past earlier covering a new grave suggests the population make have changed). Four new arrivals joined us for drinks – father,daughter,nephew and friend from Canada and UK – in time to enjoy a hail shower. Dinner was chicken noodle soup (good for the soul), Spanish omelette, pork schnitzel and Tart Santiago; wholesome, nourishing and delicious.

We set off at about nine this morning for the 19km walk to Melide in chilly misty conditions – lovely for walking. Within an hour the sun had chased the mist away and we again stripped down to t-shirts. We followed the well trodden foot paths through aromatic eucalyptus groves, yielding every few kms to small stone villages. Often we’d have the farm home on one side of us and the barns and sheds with accompanying moo and bellow sounds on the other. A delightful surprise was an ancient statue of St James with flowers at his feet next to a fast rushing stream.

The winding paths and narrow roads flowed, undulating gently, crossing many a stream, through the countryside which varied significantly from forest to farm lands to quite barren plains with clusters of large rocks (the pic of us next to one of these was taken by Doug, the Canadian father we’d met at Pont Ferriera when we caught up with him walking with his daughter). There were also a good number of wind turbines grinding slowly on the hill tops.

I stopped and took a picture of a bull close to the road but moved on quickly (and was grateful for the fence) when he dipped his head and snorted.

We got lost coming into Melide (population 9000) and back tracked a short distance before an elderly gentleman recognizing that we were lost, took charge and walked us to the modest pension where we’re spending the night.

We’ve now completed the Camino Primitivo. From here we join the Camino del Norte and Camino Frances for the final leg into Santiago and will be in the company of very many more pilgrims.

Today’s route was a walk in the park compared to some of our earlier challenges in the mountains. Unfortunately my knee wasn’t as comfortable today and after 12 kms I was hobbling and swallowed a second round of analgesics which kicked in eventually and I got back up to speed. Tomorrow’s walk is the shortest of all (15km).

Onward! Forward! God be with us!

Pont Ferriera to Melide

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