It was very good that we had had a good night’s sleep in Trabadelo because day seven was a really challenging and tiring day. We left our very nice hotel at 6:30 and began a relatively short 8 1/2 mile walk. However, the difficulty and challenge of the very steep ascent to our destination belied the short distance. My memory of this part of the Camino from six years ago was still very strong. It was the most difficult part of my Camino back then and I tried to prepare Ronald and Sean for what lay ahead. However, to all of our surprise and relief, although the ascent was very difficult, it could not compare to the descent from the iron cross that I talked about a couple of days ago.
Also, so very many views during the ascent were spectacular. Because of the difficulty of the climb, we stopped several times on the way up, always meeting some of our new friends and making additional new friends. For example, I visited with a French pilgrim who has walked over 3000 miles, all barefoot. He is something out of a novel. But I enjoyed practicing my French with him.
But as difficult as the ascent was, it was well worth it because the city at the top of the mountain, O Cebreiro, is a gem. It is a lovely town and a very popular tourist attraction, beyond the Camino aspect. Our accommodations were very nice once again. We got together for supper with four new friends from Australia, three women and a man. We enjoyed wonderful food and good red wine. Of course, this part of the Camino brings us into the region of Galicia, where my ancestors are from. Therefore, I very much feel at home.
After our very leisurely supper, brother Ronald and I headed back to our hostel while Sean joined some additional new friends and played cards for a couple of hours.
Once again, we went to bed very tired, but feeling great about everything the day offered us.