Samos and Barbadolo

Internet continues to be a challenge but here I go again. Yesterday was a short day. Had coffee before we left Triacastela which was a real treat. We walked mainly along roads to the community of Samos which is a monastery around which the town is built. We decided to check into another albergue because we didn´t want to hang around until 3pm when the monstery Alberge opened. It was a very hot day. Had lunch in a cafe and waited until the monastery opened at 4.30pm. Joined a tour which was in English but mainly German people. The monastery was amazing. Beautiful murals all round the cloisters. The church was gorgeous. It was hard to take in all the info we were given but we had to be careful not to be critical of the German tourists! After supper we went to Vespers and Mass in the church. There were several monks - mostly rather old but they were sweet. They sang Vespers - not always in time or tune with the organ. It was followed by mass which was quite etherial (if that is the right word?) This morning we were up bright and early ready to be on the road, only to discover that we couldn´t get out of the Alberge because the door was locked and the key was stuck between the door and the door jam. After much trying we all passed the packs out of the window and climbed out after them. A real Camino moment! The next moment was as we were walking down a small country lane we realized that there were cows coming behind us! The farmer´s wife had a stick and was attempting to keep the cows in line. They got a gentle tap if they didn´t cooperate! We followed them for several minutes really neat. Further along the trail we came to a little church which was locked but there was a bell. I rang the bell and thought of Zita at Quick!! A magical Camino moment. We stopped for coffee in Sarria and went into a couple of churches. Do you get the idea that there are alot of churches along the way? As we came out we were greeted by 2 ladies from Galicia who were very keen to know how we liked the Camino. Thye chatted in Spanish and in French and we really didn´t understand each other but we laughed alot. They loved to tell us about the Camino and were impressed that we had walked all the way from St. Jean. Another Camino moment! We walked for another 5km to Barbadelo and checked into an Albergue here. Somehow we got confused as to which we were going to and ended up at the wrong one. However we do have a bed but it is the most basic we have come across. There was moss in the laundry sink and bugs floating. Oh the joys. As we approach the end of our journey it is more difficult to focus on the present and not be looking forward to the fact that we only have 5 more days of walking! Isn´t that amazing?! The scenery is amazing and we are in Galacia which is very lush ie quite wet. Someone said we have 5 days of rain coming! but we have been very lucky with the weather. So the end of another day on the Camino which lots of joys and treasures. Tomorrow we go on and hope to get to Santiago by Sunday. Hope all is well back home. I always love to read your comments. Till later. Daphnew