Day 61- Gonzar to Lestedo

Distance Today 9.0 mi
Distance Camino 2017 447.3 mi

At 8:10 we began walking in heavy fog and an hour later almost missed the “Castro” (fort) of Castomaior, the remains of a Roman fort occupied from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD.

Standing on highest mound of the fort and building ruins below on right

What remains are several concentric circular mounds up to 20 feet high with ruins/foundations of stone buildings protected in the center. It was difficult to photograph due to the fog but fascinating to see… over 2000 years old.

Our walk today was very pleasant with gentle ups and downs and even some level places. We passed thru no less than 8 small villages and hamlets ranging in population from 2 to 120. Each had at least one place to stop for refreshment. Small farms with sheep and cattle and chickens filled the area in between.

Interesting homemade chairs as we walked through Hospital Alta da Cruz (pop.<10)

Brief transition from one country road to another

Right after crossing highway we got back onto this tranquil section of road

Small farm between two Albergue’s in Ventas de Narón.

A gentle uphill walk after leaving Ventas de Narón, site of an 820 battle between Christian and Muslim armies.

Pretty flower and “busy bee” photographed by Linda on our walk through Eirexe (pop.23)

Back onto a short section of path to join another road through farms just before Portos (pop. 2)

We saw almost no pilgrims during our 9 mile walk! We’re guessing that the sunami of yesterday moved on ahead of us at least 5 miles before stopping last night. And because we had a 5 mile lead on today’s wave from Portomarin, they didn’t have time to catch us before we reached our destination of Lestedo (pop.7) at 12:30. Actually we could see them coming as we walked into Hosteria Calixtino (60€).

Here they come just as we got to Lestedo.

Our Hotel is only 6 months old and very nice. The staff has been very helpful and the food and wifi were good. Jim even tried their hamburguesa (Spanish version of hamburger) and was very pleasantly surprised. At lunch we chatted with Jill and Dennis, a nice couple from Brisbane, Australia who had a reservation in the next town.