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Stage 10/11/12 Portomarin – Salceda (64.5km/40mi)

9.19.2016 – 9.21.2016
Our last 3 days are about finishing. The walks are more routine but long. They are not as challenging physically as the weather is cool and our conditioning is so much better. We are staying in the most beautiful villas called Pazos. They are Galacian manor homes that are situated in the Galacian countryside as former homes to the wealthy and nobility of the 17th and 18th century. The first that we stayed was called Pazo Torre do Barrio as I recalled in my 9.18 post. The proprietor was Marisol and she was warm and motherly and the Pazo reflected her spirit. Next we stay at A Parada das Bestas that was more rustic but had a chef that was amazing. He apparently is the nephew of the owner and is formally trained. For dinner this night I have a pepper stuffed with crab and bechamel cheese and the salmon. John selects the beef stew with roasted potatoes. We have homemade ice cream with coffee Carmel sauce for desert. The food is beyond amazing. Last night (and tonight) we are stay at Pazo Eidian. It is elegant and formal but still reflective of the historical manor with original stone walls and beams. Last night we had paella with shrimp, mussels and clams and a brilliant flan for desert. We also sample many homemade liqueurs after dinner. There is a leche, a coffee, a lemon herb, and a strong agave. I tried them all(he he) even though I have a 13 mile walk ahead in the morning. We had many laughs in Spanish and English. The Spanish speakers enjoy teaching us and I was complimented by Marisol a few days back on my Spanish so they tease quite a bit about that since my Spanish is so lacking. All I said was gracias and Marisol said oh so perfecto!!! These last few days have been such a wonderful end to our Camino. Tomorrow we walk 14 miles to Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) where we will get our first glimpse of Santiago’s Cathedral. Friday we will walk the last 3 miles into Santiago as a group.