Day 42- Palas de Rei to O Coto

Depart Time: 8:00. Temp: 42F RH: 100%

Walked: 6.1 mi. Camino 2024: 267 mi.

For the first time in forever, it’s not supposed to rain today! All forecasts, claim there is a zero chance of rain during our walk. So, we put on our regular jackets for the 42F cool morning air, but Jim still put his rain poncho is an easy-to-get-to position in his day pack, just in case. One thing we know for certain, Camino 2024 provides, RAIN, whether you need it or not.

We turned the corner from our Pencion in Palas de Rei, stopped at the first bar for breakfast, then walked on through the town then back onto a dirt path.
Linda walking past a small farm complex with a big hórreo,
Linda about to get passed by a fast walking pilgrim (probably started in Sarria).

The first hamlet we walked through, San Xúlian (pop. 46), was very pleasant. We stopped at a popular bar/albergue, O Abrigadriro, for a rest stop and OJ. There was a long line at an outside table that had a sello (stamp) available for pilgrims to mark their credential.

Pilgrims were lined up to stamp their credentials. Starting from the 100km to Santiago, pilgrims have to get 2 different stamps per day on their “credential” (see next photo) to qualify for a “Compostela” (a certificate issued by the Catedral of Santiago) which proves you are entitled to the indulgences rewarded for the Compostela.
Jim’s credential showing two stamps per day
At the bar we snapped a photo of a pilgrim with a sign on the back ” Silencio”. Several other pilgrims were seen this morning with a similar sign. We’re not sure what it meant, but we hardly felt comfortable asked a person what their sign meant if they were pushing SILENCE!!! So we left it at that.
The interior of the bar was very neat and attractive. The owners were as friendly and attentive as any we have seen thus far on the Camino Frances.
Adequately rested and stamped, off we went.

The scenery and serenity of the next several miles is portrayed in the following photos:

This huge aloe plant was in an open pasture just before we reached O Coto. Anybody have a sunburn?
O Coto, our destination for the day and our Casa Rural, Casa de los Somoza

The Casa de los Samoza complex includes a pretty park and a popular outdoor restaurant as well as upscale rooms for rent.

The following are photos of the park behind the restaurant and casa rural:

Our room was nice but a bit small for 88€.

double room
ensuite bathroom

We had lunch and an early dinner at the restaurant. When we weren’t eating this afternoon, we were doing chores, blogging, reading and getting organized for tomorrow’s walk. We’ll be watching Braden’s consolation tennis match tonight, if our wifi signal holds.

We’ve had a lot of rain the past few days, but nothing to compare to the flooding and devastation occurring back home in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We’ve been in contact with family and friends in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. So far our family and friends have been very fortunate but for many others, it has been devastating.

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