Thoughts from my Camino Frances Journey- Day 28 (Day 3 of Part 2)
Date: June 8, 2025 Sunday
Where did I begin today?
Sarria (Hotel Roma)
Where will I stay this evening?
Portomarín (Hotel Portomarín Star)
How far have I come?
22.04km
Gathering to begin the walk (photo credit: David Preston)
The entire group on the iconic Escaleira de Fonte (photo credit: David Dishman)
(photo credit: Londa Wagner)
The entire group at the Sarria sign (photo credit: David Dishman)
Got up with my alarm at 7am then went downstairs for breakfast at 7:30am (ham and cheese with bread). The group left Hotel Roma at 8:30am and took a photo by the stairs and Sarria sign. People were kind of milling around after the photo op but I wanted to get walking so Becca, Jen, Blakely, and I left first.
Jen, Blakely, me, & Becca on the Roman bridge
Beautiful morning on the Camino
(photo credit: Jen Phelps)
Met some horse friends
We walked past a church and took some pictures and they got their first stamps on the Camino, then we stopped for drinks at only about 5km. I wasn’t tired yet and would have kept going if I was alone but decided to stop anyway. We continued walking until around the halfway point and stopped for more drinks which was a good distance for a break. I took off my socks to let my feet air out and others followed too. We began walking again and passed others from group along the way and at rest stops. Shortly after, we reached the 100km sign and I excitedly got a picture beside it.
Cute sheep
Cool bridge
Taking a rest at the halfway point (photo credit: David Preston)
One month later, I made it to the final 100km!
By 2:30pm there were no other pilgrims on the way since it was the hottest part of the day and most people had finished the stage already. Internally, I felt like I was behind but I had to keep reminding myself that I didn’t need to rush to find an Albergue this time and that it was ok to take it slow. It was very hot though so I dunked my buff in a water fountain to keep my neck cool. Jen and Becca stopped again to eat lunch but Blakely and I kept walking and met up with the Wrights for a stretch of road. I’m still not the best at walking and talking but I listened and occasionally joined in.
First wax stamp on this section of the Camino
Tiny adorable chapel
When the four of us reached the final crossroad, we weren’t 100% sure which route was better so messaged Dave for his opinion. He was almost there so we waited for the larger group and went on the alternative route which was less steep according to Dave. We crossed a long bridge into Portomarín and climbed up the stairs at 4:50pm.
Crossroad with Portomarín in the distance
Crossing rio Miño
Met back up for the final stretch
A daunting, final climb into the city
After checking into Hotel Star, Blakely and I went to get food in town; we shared tortilla and Galician cheese. We returned to the hotel around 6pm to shower and I used my cork ball to stretch/massage my leg muscles. The whole group met in the hotel restaurant at 6:30pm for our group discussion. Dinner followed straight after with bread and wine, chicken with fries and green peppers, then Santiago cake for dessert.
pre-dinner Blakely and I shared a Galician cheese board in town
Dinner course 2- Padron peppers, chicken, & fries
Dinner course 1- Galician soup
Dessert course- Santiago cake
At 9pm I decided to walk to the church/main square since I read about them in my guidebook. After a short walk, I went to bed at 10:45pm. All day today I felt great physically, the only trouble was the heat later in the afternoon. I’m relieved that taking the month off walking didn’t diminish the endurance I built up in April, and I’m optimistic that can pace myself better to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon. Walking again just feels right.
The original town of Portomarín is now underwater so the Church of San Nicolas was moved and put back together brick by brick
View of the stairs from our hotel roof
Still light outside at 10pm
