Another early start at 8.15am. Dawn had yet to break and the mist clung to the hillside. The very first stage of the walk took us back over the river Mino but further up the gorge away from the town. It was quite mystical and though we had joined a large group of fellow travellers who all seemed in fine spirits silence descended on the group as we took in the sight.
The first kilometre or two was through a long a steep track in a pine forest. I’m not sure whether it was the powerful scent, the soft dawn breaking as we walked through a ‘dew’ shower falling from the over hanging branches or all combined that created a sense of another world away from the 21st century. Spiders webs glistened in the dew while blackberries appeared like purple jewels on the brambles.
We met many travellers from across the globe who were all on this journey, some choose to share their stories while others much like myself felt it was the right time to walk this path. Some started the journey as we did on the 9th October while others had commenced their walk along the way in September.
Again there were beautiful views through river valleys or around the side of an area known as Rosary Heights, then dropping down into Palas de Rei. The walking day ended as it began with the final walk through a pine forest serenaded by a lone blackbird. It was a wonderful end to a challenging walking day.
We had lovely food in a local restaurant which translated as the house of the forge, may be another interesting story but we retired to our hotel for a welcome siesta.
These are some of the varied sights we passed on day two.
Ger Moroney 