Days 10 and 11 on the camino

Sorry about the lack of posting lately. Once again I found myself without wifi. 

I'm pretty tired so I'll have to come back later to add more to this.
Day 10 was a long day, about 20km from Villafranca to Las hererias, a tiny Hamlet just before the climb into Galicia. Sun was beyond brutal, had to pick up sun screen at a pharmacy. Thankfully that weird weather and hot sun has passed and we are back to winter here in Spain.

This was a nice little hike, alongside beautiful rivers and roads through small Spanish villages. Las hererias is gorgeous. The meeting point of a few river systems, it's green and fertile. I can only imagine what early settlers thought when they came across it.

Day 11 was a shorter hike, only 8 or so km. But it certainly felt longer as it was almost all up steep unforgiving paths. Stunning vistas and views of valleys behind and Galicia ahead helped spur me on.

Galicia is an odd place, with strong Celtic ties, and traditions like bagpipes and even similar foods like cabbage and stews. Gorgeous though, it's really an Incredibly fertile land, with strong ties to the ocean and Mediterranean.

Lots of fun stories about this little town of o'cebreiro. The church is famous for a number of things. Firstly it was said to house the holy Grail for a number of years. Later it was the scene of a miracle when a local boy walked up the mountain for mass on a cold snowy winter day, the priest at the time chastised him for his piety, saying he should have stayed home. When he went to give the boy the sacrement the wine turned to blood and the bread to flesh, showing gods anger at the priest's words. This was recognized by the pope at the time as a legitimate miracle.

Lastly, but not least, this church was home to the modern father of the Camino, who famously drew many of the arrows we follow today and set in place the stone landmarks that I've taken pictures of. He famously was driving along the Camino one day and cave across a group of Basque rebels who were suspicious of this priest. He opened the car to show his cans of yellow spray paint and told them he was preparing for the invasion to come. Prophetic words as his work has ushered in a popularity in the Camino.

Tomorrow another long day into tricastella. Thankfully all downhill.

Sorry about the lack of pictures. Won't let me upload at the moment I'll try again later. Update: should have pictures now.