Camino Primitivo

 Baleira to Lugo

September 13 2023

Today was suppose to be an easy day as this was the first day out of the mountains.  However it was far from easy..  It was still 35.9 kms and 648 meters of climb.  In the one scene it was easier in that there were no terribly steep climbs up loose rocks or desentes down slippery wet rocks. It was hard in that it was hot and there was very few stops and very little in the way of   services along the trail.  

We were were on the road just after 8:00 am this morning into a coolish fog which seems to be the way the weather works here.  The morning started with the typical  climb through along a nicely wooded trail.  It wasn't as steep or as long but there were no fabulous valley views either.  

After a few kilometers we came to a very nice church in a tiny village.  Surprisingly it was open and we got to peak in side and get our Pilgrim Passports stamped.  There was quite a bit of information posted on how historic this church was but it was all in Spanish and I didn't get it.

The high light of the day was at the Pilgrim Oasis which was at the 24 kms mark.  In a field a fellow had set up some tents and was handing out free watermelon and other melon slices to pilgrims.  He had a few tables made from wooden pallets under the umbrellas. There were several very large wooden stumps which had been carved into tables and benches as well.  The temperature was by now around 30 C so the cold watermelon was a slice of heaven. 

When we got to the hotel in Lugo the check in procedure was the most complicated procedure I have ever been through. It must have taken 40 minutes to get the three rooms handed out.  Scanning and re-scanning of passports, signing of forms, instructions on how to sign into the wifi etc.  In fairness it is a very nice modern hotel right in downtown Lugo.

Bob and I packed our laundry up and headed off to get that chore done.  Tomorrow is a rest day in a very historic town, but more of that tomoorow.

Terry