Into Beonte

We started today at the 60 km mark. Once again amongst the last in the Albergue to leave. We have sworn that the next few stops, even if we have to crawl using our eyelashes, that we will not stop at a government run Albergue again. 

They are super cheap, clean and spacious, but completely souless. The huge kitchens beckon you, but there is normally no shops around, and even if you brought something, often no pans or cutlery, plates or knives.  Its such a shame to see quality facilities shunned because the government group running it are too tight to supply blankets and wifi, kitchen utensils and slot machines for food items ( even if it were drinks and junk foods!)

Our walk today wound around woodlands and over streams. It was misty and cool at the beginning of the day, but gradually got hotter and more uncomfortable as the afternoon wore on. 

We stopped for a good hour for lunch ( wifi!! Yay!!) but particuarly for the famous grilled octapus.. Oh man.. It was so good. From the photo you can see that Lilly is less than impressed with ehat is on my plate. LOL!!

As the kids said, more crumbling churches, more stone bridges and stinky farmyards. 

Below a few shots from today, ending with a shot of the prize catch of the day, an Albergue with a pool!

Again, I splashed out tonight to have a private room ( own bathroom!!) in a place that had wifi. Its just nice to be in our own space, even if its a tiny room.

Fuente del Peregrino

Ever since we stopped here last year, the kuds have been enthusiastic about returning to the Hug place.   Fuente del Peregrino is in Ligonde and has come leaps and bounds from last year. What looked like someone shack opened up, now has a slick, still rustic look about it, with a dozen volunteers sporting bright tshirts welcoming and inviting tired pilgrims to sit, have refreshments and have a hug.

They have a small picnic spot and hammocks, which the kids immediately grabbed. Lilly lapped up the hugs being dished out... See photos below 

Monastery San Salvador at Vilar de Donas.

There isn 't a great deal of information available on this National Monument, which is a shame, as it holds sime significant artifacts and art pieces.

There was once an extensive Monastery here, built in the 12 th century. It was home to the Knights who protected the path and area from the Moors/ Persians during thier occupation. 

All that is left is the tiny church, carvings and medieval paintings.

The one below is the most significant and complete on the walls. Depicting Christ after he was taken off the cross, the colours are in amazing brilliance still.

Other interesting things in the church are the huge doors and beautifully ornate hinges.

The church was built and most probably maintained by influential families in the area. 

Stone carved effigies of the knights line the walls along with carved family shields and coats of arms.

It has a somber and ancient atmosphere. Inside was chilly, despite the hear outside. It was a shame that though the ancient guardian was enthusiastic and desperatly wanted to tell me details about each part of the church, he only spoke Spanish, and my grasp on the language is so minimal, its embarrasing. I picked up some of the gist of what he was telling me, dates and facts; but the intricacies were completely lost on me.