Day 44

Samos to Sarria - 17 kms
24 May 2019

We left Samos this morning somewhat reluctantly. It had a special feel, nestled in a valley as it was, and holding such depth of human history. Its hard to comprehend what life would have been like, how isolated Samos would have been in the 6th century when the Monastery was first established.
Our walk from Samos until our path joined the main route up from Triacastela was on country lanes and pathways, some were farm tracks, and in such gorgeous morning light. Once we were back on the main route we walked through more open farmland and then a long walk into Sarria.
It takes a while to adjust to being in a town again, we have walked through a couple of towns but haven't stayed in one for a few days. We're here in Sarria for two nights to give ourselves a rest day - our third and last rest day before arriving at Santiago.
Not long after getting to Sarria someone started madly calling out 'Kiwis, Kiwis.' It was Leena from the Netherlands, it was so lovely to see her again.
We can expect the Camino to be busier from Sarria as it's a starting point for many. To receive a Compostela on reaching Santiago you need to have walked 100 kilometres continuously. Sarria, at just over 100 kilometres away, makes a good starting point. It doesn't matter how many kilometres are walked before Sarria so those pilgrims starting here receive the same certificate as we will ...but we will receive the same certificate as those who have walked greater distances than us.

Our bonus accommodation in Samos last night - a lovely pension.

A last view of the Monastery

All the gardens are so well kept. This one has a kiwifruit vine 

A pilgrim

Once again some of the path was steep and rough.

The morning light was just magic.

An angel to watch us go by

A memorial to a pilgrim who died less than four weeks ago - very sad.

We had a lovely breakfast break here.

This farmer was moving his cattle - and a mule - up the road and some of them went into the wrong paddock. He was going to have a job getting them out of it as they were enjoying the fresh grass.

...and way behind the farmer and the cattle came the dog, just ambling along and not helping at all.

Has the potential to be a Pappy house.

Negotiating a muddy patch

More gorgeous peonies.

Pappy's house doesn't have much room in it and there's no windows but if he's still got his pet giraffe it has lots of height for it. Another bonus for Pappy is that he'll have plenty of power. 

Our first sighting of Sarria.

Part of the long walk into Sarria.

When we got into Sarria there were a few flights of steps to conquer.