Portomarin to Palas de Rei (Camino de Santiago)

June 5, 2012 We awoke at 5am and I taped Becky’s feet as she had the start of a couple of blisters after yesterdays walk. We met up with Tim and Mike under a lamp on a dark street in front of their alberque. Today would likely be the last day of walking as a group of four as they plan on pushing fast to the end while Beck and I would take an extra day to break up the mileage. It was 15 miles of walking today with the first half mostly uphill. The  guys waited for us at two different villages for coffee and tea. Beck was slow and steady but with all the climbing we had to do she did very well. On the steeper sections I would take her hand and walk/pull her along until we got to the top of the rise, my version of what climbers call “short roping”. The scenery was not as magical as yesterday but still delightful with the highlight of the day consisting of us walking through a stand of huge towering trees that formed a cathedral canopy of foliage. The weather had changed and it was cooler and you could feel that rain was imminent. Our hotel was about a quarter mile before the actual town of Palas de Rei and we were able to get settled in our room before the weather took a turn for the worse. Towards evening we walked into the main town square looking for Mike and Tim but being unable to locate them  we found a small cafe/bar and sipped wine while a downpour of rain pelted the streets.  We still ended up walking back to our hotel in the rain but not minding it so much after a drink or two. The rest of the evening was spent on a deck at the hotel  enjoying a great meal, some very nice red wine and the Spanish rain.  Journal: “I am so happy for Beck today. Walking the 15 miles and the climbing she did quite well. She struggled but just kept putting one foot in front of the other. This is a huge challenge for her  and even though I have been walking for over a month this week will be one of the most difficult physical challenges she has done. She is showing a lot of determination. She also trained and has taken this endeavor very seriously. “