Camino Primitivo

Lugo to Ferreira

September 15 2023

This morning we were on the road at 8:15 am. It was just getting light and it was quite cool so I had my jacket on.  I was glad to get a good start as starting late only means that you have to suffer in the afternoon heat and risk getting hit by a thunder shower.  

It wasn't far from the hotel to the Santiago gate of the Roman wall which surrounds Lugo.  Posted at the Roman bridge is a centurion who gracefully posed for a photo with me.  Across the river on the Roman bridge which was originally built in 3BC, although this bridge was more likely from the 1980's.   After the bridge we had the major climb of the day which was about 200 meters.  It wasn't steep like some of the previous day's climbs but it did go on for what seemed like forever.

After the big climb of the day it was  mostly rolling hills and valleys.  The sun was out and had burned off the morning fog and it was quite pleasant walking along.  We were at about 12 kms before we came to our first stop of the day whiche was actually some vending machines in a garage beside the road.  The route was about 60% down paved roads with very little traffic so we made good time.  The 40% was down dirt paths which wound through treed woods.  

There has been a very significant increase in the number of pilgrims on the road.  In the early morning there were several groups of 6-10 and a lot of couples.  By noon they had spread out and it didn't seem like we were seeing anymore people than we had before.  That said a lot of the 100 kms pilgrims were only doing 16-20 kms for their day, thy were probably taking a taxi back to Lugo.

My Garmin recorded a walk distance of 28.624 kms and a climb of 618 meters.  This is pretty much the last of the big walks.  The Camino mileage posts are showing a distance of 72 kms to Santiago, and we have four walking days left.    

Tonight we are in a village called Ferreira.  However I think that the only building in the village is hotel/pension where we are staying.  No cell service but good wifi.

Terry