Pedrouzo

Legs woke early and eager for long stage, feet, finally friends with their shoes comply, and Arzua at 34 km firmly on the programme ... Ton serves breakfast, whilst Ria recovers from 1 am pilgrim party ... completely unnoticed in the full, rather snory dormitory, where a deep sleep prevails through to 7 am ... muesli fuels the system and torch deployed for starlight start ... fast for 6km until Daniel shows up landing his drone ... having left the nearby Albergue he talks of a long stage and a PB, though no sign of him since so who knows whether his personal best was achieved, or even what it would look like ... meanwhile, legs race on until short stop and a cortado at 15km, on to find baker in van offering croissant, gladly bought to munch on the way ... Melide, at 20km comes before noon and tortilla sought ... not at this time says the cafe man ... somewhere else in town? Unlikely he says, and next enquiry confirms his view ... strange for a large town with many bars, but legs still eager and stomach indicates sufficient fuel from yesterday and this morning ... and reminds central command that the Lugo banana, biscuits and chocolate may be more effective generating energy in the tummy than sitting in the pack ... a quick coffee and on towards Arzua, with Camino Frances pilgrims milling about, mostly heading up the hill to the cemetery, a climb declined when the main road takes a level route ... 4th time on this stretch and short cuts mostly known ... pace maintained for a couple of hours and one short break before conversation with Joan into Arzua. .. Aussie grandma and signed up Christian, she's here with a large group ... lunch stop in Arzua produces the tortilla missing in Melida and water instead of wine, since it's still before 3pm and legs are ready for more ... 5 hours of daylight mean Pedrouzo possible at nearly 20km leaving an easy Santiago tomorrow ... afternoon encounter with Kiwi Finn brings deep philosophy for an hour before he finds his hostel ... 3rd hour legs fade a little, take a break and small beer 4km out then speed up to hit town before 7.30 ... first door is 2 star pension and brief haggle reduces price for double room ( for one person) from startling €45 to slightly less startling 40 ... no interest in trailing around town for Albergue or cheaper pension, so it's simple comfort in over large bed, with ensuite shower and toilet, view of the woods rather than noisier main road ... well deserved after epic 54 km effort ... hot shower, menu del dia, chat with Belgian pilgrim who admires the 54, and has his 11 weeks from Normandy admired in return. ..

Sunny day forecast for tomorrow .. whether for Santiago or straight through to Negreira is a question for the morning ... for now the hard working feet and legs have some tissue repair work to do while the system goes into standby mode ...