Perhaps it was the 700g wheel of Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, chorizo, baguettes, and several bottles of wine we purchased from the supermarket and ate just before bed. Perhaps it was the gin and tonic, kalimotxo / calimocho, tinto verano, or any of the various wines we drank in a local bar after our arrival last night… who can say? What I can say is that today’s 29.6km walk was a lot tougher than we anticipated (and at least 1km longer!).

The sun was out, the shade was minimal, and the hills were numerous – including right at the very end of the day, just to sap what was left of our spirits before a long downhill section to our albergue.

Sun, terrain, and unmentionable rashes aside, the day was enjoyable.

We took two planned diversions from the official route, the first alongside a river to avoid traffic, and the second through back paths to avoid traffic. There was also an unplanned diversion where some of the way had been blocked off for maintenance work.

The river diversion was so peaceful without traffic, and we only passed one person in the hour it took us to walk it. Another hour further on provided an awesome breakfast spot that provided an amazing vista, more zero-alcohol beers, as well as having an old Double Diamond ashtray.

Cows and the smell of fresh cow poo were plentiful and sometimes a bit overpowering, once very freshly dropped on the road in front of us as a herd was being moved past us!

When we finally arrived at our destination, the albergue was very modern looking, and we’d happily stay again. Tomorrow and the day after will be shorter, although we’ll still be on the road by 07:30 to avoid the afternoon sun.