We enjoyed our stay in a 17th-century country hotel and the ambience was great,
We began today in Portamarin, and after Deacon Brian took us astray (we were not even out of town yet) we commenced our pilgrimage to Santiago. We walked about 20km (including Deacon Brian’s side trip).

Our walk was good but the temperature was hot. We stopped and reflected upon a 12th century cruzeiro. Butch and Brian left a rosary for fellow peregrines.Manoloreturned us to Portamarin where we will stay at the Pousada.
We attended Mass in which a bishop from France celebrated. While there we encountered a young man named Tony who we met in Chattanooga two weeks ago. He plans to beat us to Santiago by two days! We enjoyed dinner.
Note: If picture is elongated…tap on it to view              
 

We began our walk this morning at 10:30 (we would have started earlier but Brian over slept).

During our 6 and a half hour walk, we saw a large chicken, a curious cow, and a special corn crib (unique to Galicia) called a horreo.

Mass was at 8:00 and our pilgram’s dinner was at the hotel. It took Butch 20 minutes to finish his ration.
          

Today we began our walk in Samos. The weather is overcast but no rain, perfect for beginning our journey. We stopped  first in O’Cebreio, a place known to be where St. Frances visited.
We planned to start early but it was 11:50 when we departed from Samos. It took us seven hours to reach our destination, Barbadelo.

We arrived in Madrid after a smooth and comfortable flight. Manolo met us at the airport and drove us to the Villafranca where we spent the night.

 We we toured Villafranca visiting several of the churches.

Butch and Brian found several items in the church they were familiar with.  Are they talking to each other… There is no priest !
  

deacon Brian assisted at Mass.

After mass we went to a patio tapas party at the hotel where we met some of Manolo’s friends. 

Father Charlie takes our picture and sees us off at the Chattanooga airport. He and our wives will be following us in two weeks.

In Atlanta  we endure the wait  for our flight to Madrid… in the crown room!