Palas to O Pedrouzo

Another long day on the road ...12 hours including some swift breaks and it means nearly 50 km again and an easy 20 km stroll into Santiago tomorrow ... weather rather pleasant, with barely a sprinkle and plenty of Sun ...

An early plod with no fixed plan ... Arzua at just under 30km lunchtime target ... Vivien and Frank from Sheffield appear after Melide, having started in Sarria, taking it slow, feeling guilty at skipping the dorms, though, as Catholics, guilt is part of the programme ... timely, since recent graffiti said:"Jesus didn't start in Sarria", a dig at the "turigrinos", though interesting to examine the assumption that pilgrims need some suffering and other qualifications ... the reference to Sarria is because it is a favourite starting point, being just over the 100km necessary to walk to Santiago to get the certificate .... stamps for the passport are also required ... more than just the overnight one, to make cheating difficult ... the whole concept ridiculous, as if such a personal journey needs a certificate ...

Graffiti, meanwhile, abounds ... folks obviously well equipped with waterproof markers and spray paint ...Jesus a key hero for the artist vandals ...

A quick rest before Arzua means the idea of a long lunch here passes by and other opportunities are missing ... somehow we are on the way to Pedrouzo anyway, step by step ... bread and honey from the pack sustains and a heartfelt exchange with bar owners 12km from home lifts the energy ....at least three different groups of young people in evidence .... Easter Week maybe ... anyway, an early encounter with a Belgian bloke, just arrived from the Northern route, which joins here, establishes his Albergue full of youngsters, tempting this curmudgeonly and knackered pilgrim into another pension ... handily next door to a restaurant with a great menu del dia ...preparing for an influx of young people, the first group of which arrives during the dessert course ... 9 American teenagers and their teacher ... swiftly to bed before the main influx ... Santiago tomorrow, maybe a Porto bus later, or Thursday ... let's see ...