Arzúa, Galicia, Spain and Canary Islands
Distance by the guide book - 14.3km
Total distance for the day - 17.2km
Flights climbed - 22
Today was our second short day in a row. It was so nice to sleep in a little. There was no point in leaving early today. The hotel around the corner where we had to drop our bags didn’t open until 7:30 so we were on our way shortly after that.
Staying in Melide seemed to have been a good choice. Because it’s not the recommended end of the stage according to the guide book we seemed to have missed the crowds today. In comparison to the last couple of days it was a very quiet day.
It was a short walk but a very undulating walk. We crossed a number of shallow river valleys today. The word valley suggests a V shape and yes, first we’d go down and then we’d go up. The guidebook mentioned a steep ascent just before Arzua but we walked so many steep ascents today that we didn’t really notice the final one! Many people combine yesterdays and todays walk in one day. We’re so glad we didn’t do that! It would have been very arduous.
Cutting it in two made it two enjoyable days instead.
Arzua is a busy, small town with lots of restaurants and bars. We arrived right on lunch time and found a great place making fajitas. One of my favourite things to eat! I had to have some with a glass of white, of course! We had to wander around the streets for a while because we were too early to check in. We’ve very tempted by some of the shoe shops. They have some lovely locally made sandals and shoes. It’s probably a good thing that our suitcases are already quite full!
We’re right into the afternoon siesta time ritual now. We generally arrive somewhere about lunchtime. Everything shuts down around 2 and nothing is open again until 4 or 5. So, of course, there’s nothing else to do but join the locals for a siesta. We might have to adopt the policy once we’re home again! I don’t think the evening meal at 8:30/9:00 will take off though!
Our pension tonight is just delightful. It was obviously someone’s home at one point. There are 4 beautifully appointed bedrooms upstairs with polished wood floors. We scored the one with an ensuite! Yay! And there are two bunk rooms downstairs. They don’t seem to be very well known yet so the bunk rooms are not full. All the rooms upstairs are, we think. The owner is lovely. Our luggage hadn’t arrived by 2:30. We weren’t too worried about it because we know they’re really busy but he was! He insisted on calling them and checking on it. The luggage arrived 10mins later. There is a very well stocked kitchen as well. We went to the supermarket and just bought a few things to have for dinner. Best of all they have a kettle! We’re missing our cups of tea after dinner. I’m enjoying mine while I write this blog.
We’ve just been chatting with a delightful Frenchman and his partner, who as it turns lives in Melbourne. His partner has walked from St Jean as well but he only had enough holidays to join her for the last 100 kms. After they get to Santiago they’re going to visit his family in Bordeaux, where we changed trains on our way to St Jean!
Tomorrow it’s back to 20km days so we’ll make an early start and hope to not get in too late.
Marl
2023-06-01
I think a pair of sandals from Spain would be good. You can squash them in the bag! Another good day. 🚶♀️
Karry
2023-06-01
Getting so close now. So proud of you Lan! Xx
Karen K
2023-06-01
Not long to go now Leanne. You and Sheila have done wonderfully well! Also …… buy the shoes!!!!!
Helen
2023-06-01
So so so close!
Allan
2023-06-01
Well done you two ! 🎉🥂🎉🥂🎉
Kathryn
2023-06-01
It's a third tick for shoes and wine with dinner. Enjoy it all. You've done so well. Walking trails back home, will be so tame once you return.
Jackie
2023-06-02
Oh you know I would have found room for a new pair of Spanish Shoes!! Looks like you two are so in the groove now-think you could just keep on walking!! Seems like you are getting to bigger towns now & lots more people around.
Beth
2023-06-02
Can imagine your mounting sense of excitement, Leanne. We've just had 4 glorious nights at Mission Beach and are heading up to the Atherton Tableland right now. X
Suzanne
2023-06-02
Do hope you went back and bought those sandals. You will probably have to throw away your walking shoes so you will have room. A lovely walking day. How many klms do you have to go now as I could not read the milage on the sign.
Karen
2023-06-02
Wow two more days. You won’t know yourselves.keep the blogs coming🤗
Claire
2023-06-02
Great going girls. I haven’t had any internet out here at Kings Canyon in NT, so have been unable to read your last couple of days. Not long to go now! Buy those sandals! Good luck for the last few days. 😎👍😎
Liz Davis
2023-06-03
Beautiful countryside! Hope that you got those shoes.