Day 24 - Ventas de Narón to Ribadiso

Although today was only about 42 kms (only; he says!) it was physically quite tough. 40 kms or 25 miles a day is about average now and although there are big hills they are not as big as they have been. I think my body is just getting tired now; not unsurprisingly.
This morning was a bit depressing as the same minibus kept overtaking me and just as I was arriving in a town or at a cafe it would stop and twenty Americans would get out and get all the good seats or create a queue in front of me. I shouldn't moan but I am bloody going to!
They all start asking each other "how many stamps have you got today? I've got three!" ......Idiots. So they collect their credencial stamps and get back on the bus.

So, about eleven o'clock this morning it started raining. Hurray; that will give the yanks something to moan about.
For me it made a nice change, the air nice and crisp and walking a pleasure. It felt a lot like Cornwall - raining and lots of granite. Also it made everything green and shiny. The fields and trees are spectacular again. They introduced the Eucalyptus tree here many years ago and there are huge forests of them; really big specimens. It looked a bit weird at first when you see one or two trees but when there are hundreds of tall ones arranged in neat rows they are majestic.
I came through Palas de Rei this morning which used to be an important town approaching Santiago; apparently most of its heritage is now lost.
After Palas de Rei I entered dense woodland where it rained off and on and in the distance was a major thunderstorm; I like walking in the woods, and I like thunderstorms. But which one is best. Only one way to find out - ask Harry Hill.
In the woods I came across an unmanned stall with bananas, peaches, raspberries and some wrapped portions of home made cake. There was some fruit juice in bottles and an invitation to help yourself and make a donation if you wish. I took some freshly squeezed orange juice and a portion of the best raspberries I have ever had. Mmm, raspberries and orange juice in the woods and the rain.

I also walked through Melide, an administrative town, famous for its pulpo (cooked octopus) there was a wedding here and I met a group of fourteen pensioners from Yorkshire walking the Camino. They were very pleased to meet me and all the old ladies wanted to "feel the muscles on my lovely brown legs", I didn't fancy the octopus or the old dears so I legged it!
Below are some photos of-
Cows and trees.
A dead poodle.
A wedding.
Good and bad graffiti.
A medieval bridge.
My accommodation for the night, I am in one of two private rooms in a separate building to the main albergue; very quiet and neat.

Tomorrow Santiago is only 25 miles away. I will probably walk 20 miles and stay at the big albergue on Monte Gozo which overlooks the city. On Monday morning I can the do the last bit and book into a hotel and view the city at leisure.