Walking down, down into the valley, staying at Triacastela (Sa Oct. 5)

We were up fairly early this morning, ate breakfast of yogurt and bananas purchased at the market the evening before, packed up and since it was still too dark to walk safely, we headed to the bar/cafe for a coffee and were shocked to see it jammed full and a big lineup for coffee:

Tried another place, waited around for a while, and left.  By this time it was light enough and we actually prefer to get a coffee at a small place along the way:

Monument to peregrinos.  A Spanish couple asked Jan to take their picture:

Mist/fog caused these droplets to form on the mountain ash:

As we walked along we talked about something we talk about almost daily: how grateful we are to be walking this Camino, how grateful we are for our kids, their spouses, our families in Ontario, relatives spread across Canada, our health, our ability to do the Camino.   What an amazing experience and we just don't want it to end.  Santiago is looming, and the crowds noticeably building for the last 100 km stretch.  We had always hoped to carry on past Santiago to Finnesterre (on the Atlantic, another 100 km)  and since we have enjoyed the Camino so much, and both feel great, the dream to walk on to the ocean is now our plan.

Also grateful for the people who have created all the signposts, especially the yellow arrows, our friends.  Always feel comforted when you see one, knowing you are on the right track:

Walking staffs are very popular, and this little stand offers an assortment made in this man's garage for 3 € and up.  We also saw a couple other uses for sticks today:

In a small village, we paused to let this here of cattle move out to pasture.  One man at the lead, a German Shepherd barking and nipping to keep the cows in line and ...

... this fellow, walking behind using his stick to nudge a straggler along, and calling the dog back to help him.  Eventually the dog brought the straggler back into the herd and this man's job was done, for now.  He was happy to pose for a shot:

Maybe 10 minutes later, we encountered these two men using their sticks to keep these bulls moving. We gave them a wide berth and stood well off the road: 

More cows.  Pretty landscape:

Just before noon, the mist cleared and we had ourselves a hot, sunny day.  The town in the distance is Tricastila, where we hoped to spend the night.  First two albergues we checked were both full -- people had reserved, but the third one had space and it's very nice.

Entering town:

Looking back over our walk today:

One of the many pilgrims who arrived to find most (all?) albergues and pensions were full.  This man, proudly wearing his native Lithuanian flag (with a small teddy bear just in front of the flag) looked to be in his 80s: