Thoughts from my Camino Frances Journey- Day 31 (Day 6 of Part 2)
Date: June 11, 2025 Wednesday
Where did I begin today?
Melide (Hotel Carlos 96)
Where will I stay this evening?
Arzúa (Hotel Arzúa)
How far have I come?
13.61km
Church of Saint Mary
Today was a super short walking day, less than 14km so I decided to take it slow and try walking with the group again. I “slept in” until 8am and took my time at breakfast before leaving with some others at 9am. We came across a group of over sixty high school students and let them pass by us at the 50km signpost. To put a bit of distance between us, we went inside the Church of Saint Mary. Inside was playing Gregorian music which sounded very peaceful.
More wax stamps!
Cute little fruit stand
The perfect pick-me-up snack
Shortly after, we came to another crossroad and I suggested taking the main route to go over a stone bridge I read about in the guidebook. Also got another wax stamp while walking through the woods which made our decision even better. Couldn’t resist stopping at a cute little fruit stand for a quick snack. Continued with the group to the Church of St. James where they stopped for a long time. I wasn’t tired and didn’t want to stop so eventually I walked ahead alone.
Fun stone bridge
photo credit: Dawn Dishman
Inside the Church of Saint James
Went up a big hill to another crossroad and I decided to leave the main road and take the Jacobean route with more shade. When the routes joined back up, I ran into the Wrights, Dave Dishman, and Paul Mayor near Dave’s suggested meeting point in O Ribadiso. As we continued up another hill we saw Dawn too. Made it to the medieval bride and went to café there and ran into almost the whole group. It was a very pretty place to stop for lunch so we pulled up some more tables to join them. I had some croquettes and sangria.
Lunch on Camino
café kitties
After eating, I went with the “young group” (David & Jess Dishman, Jen, Becca, and Blakely) back to the bridge. Some of them wanted to dip their feet in the river, I chose not to because I didn’t want to walk in wet socks afterwards but I took pictures. I finished walking last 2km to Arzúa with them. We arrived at 4:20pm, which felt extremely late for such a short day on the Camino.
L to R: David Dishman, Jess Dishman, Becca Fussell, me, Blakely Gibeaut, Jen Phelps
photo credit: Jen Phelps
This hotel was another modern building that didn’t have a “Camino feel” so I’m glad I didn’t arrive super early like yesterday. I enjoyed walking with a group for the most part and am glad I gave it another try. I took shower after arriving then relaxed and stretched. We had our evening group discussion at 7pm downstairs in the hotel before walking 1km to a restaurant for dinner at 8pm. The menu included pasta salad with tuna (I wasn’t a fan), chicken, fries, and Santiago cake along with the usual bread and wine. I sat at a table with Diane, Jess, Becca, Jen, and Blakely and we had some nice spiritual discussions. Walked back to the hotel at 10pm then played Go Fish with Jen and Blakely until 10:40pm before heading to bed.
My little daypack in a sea of suitcases
