TRAVEL DAY 3 - Porto to Sarria
Day 3 of our Camino trip was all about travelling from Porto in Portugal to Sarria in Spain, the start of our Camino walk.
waiting for our train at Campane Train Station
Jade had been sick with a bug the previous day and was still recovering. But we got ourselves packed and out the door early to catch our 7.30am train to Campane which had a larger train station where we waited for our first long train ride from Porto to Vigo.
In Vigo we managed to find a pharmacy for some meds (the Spanish are quite generous with their dispensing - no questions asked) with some interesting sign language and google translate to the rescue.
The supermarket was AWESOME!!! Unfortunately the bread rolls that we bought were actually sweet rolls and not quite what we were expecting, but still tasted amazing. It was great to buy a few basics before we began our big walk the following day.
Montfort Train Station
We boarded our train at 2.30pm for our train ride from Vigo to Montfort was across a beautiful lake area and then into the hills and mountains towards Montfort.
This was our final transfer as we waited for our last train from Montfort to Sarria. Just before 5.30pm our train pulled up for our final 1 hour trip.
By now we were getting tired and needed a place to rest. Unfortunately all we had was a bench and our bags.
As soon as we boarded the train we happened to meet a bouncy American couple named Mimi and Kevin from North Carolina. They were also starting their Camino in Sarria so we quickly swapped travel stories so far and hoped to bump into them along the way the next day.
Albergue La Casona de Sarria
We arrived in Sarria as the evening was setting in and got easy directions to our accommodation. Albergue La Casona de Sarria was a sight for sore eyes as we walked up, tired, sweaty and needing a hot shower.
The owner became fast friends with Jade as she swapped hotel stories with the owner. Jade loves chatting so she felt better as soon as she could get some words out. After life stories had been traded we headed out for a quick dinner along the canal and had a little walk through town before it got too dark.
The buildings are old. Some are beautifully restored while others look quite derelict. Most folk pass through Sarria as a popular starting point for those doing the traditional Camino on this route, so Guesthouses are the main source of business for the town.
The few restaurants seem to do ok and the hiking and outdoor goods stores must have a decent income. Often you only realise what you forgot to pack when you get ready to walk. I knew that I still needed a waterproof rain jacket so first thing in the morning I headed out and managed to get my hands on a lightweight jacket that folded small enough to carry with me all day.
Because Jade hadn’t been well we opted to send our bags ahead to our next town which was a one building village called Morgade. The first time you send your bags ahead it’s a little nerve wracking (especially coming from South Africa where you just expect things to go missing) but we needn’t have worried.
The guest house either takes your 3 Euros and puts a tag with your next guest house on the bag OR a small envelope containing your 3 Euros is attached directly to your bag with the next destination written on it. So simple!!! And your bag arrives before you finish your days walk.
TRAVEL DAY 4 & CAMINO DAY 1 - Sarria to Morgade (12 kms)
We set off on our first day of the CAMINO DE SANTIAGO in a light rain, with only our day packs.
Day 1 of walking was a 12km walking day from Sarria to Morgade. The rain and cold was a shocker but we pushed on through the rolling hills and fields, along cobbled stones and muddy paths.
What struck us was how friendly all the pilgrims were and so welcoming! Everyone you passed barked a little “Buen Camino!” Or good Camino. It became such a part of us over the next week that we soon expected everyone to be as friendly but you forget that you’re not in the city and in your real world.
Our packed lunch came in handy as we wanted to avoid eating out too much and rather splash out on a coffee and dinner.
Our Camino distance markers to the finish 108kms to go
The few hours walk was relatively easy as we kept the pace slow for Jade to take her time and took in all the views. We walked in mud with cows as they ventured out to pastures and we walked up steep hills and through forests. Each distance marker was now an accomplishment and ground that had been taken.
102kms to go
Our arrival at Morgade was epic as we walked down a small country path and rounded a bend the Albergue cam into view. It was a large stone building with what looked like a barn alongside. It all looked out on gorgeous green pastures below and a frosted patch above.
Morgade
Morgade was also where we met Devon Dutshke and his lovely wife Sybil.
After showering and changing, Jade and I had got a coffee and headed outside to sit in the little bit of sunshine that had just opened up and there on the bench with his buddy Graham was Devon. It turned out that this little group of Aussies had joined the walk at Sarria too!
We shared a set meal dinner that night and all got to know each other, sharing stories and finding out that Sybil was actually South African!!! We probably stayed up a little too late but it was a wonderful start to friendships that we still have today.
Devon & Sybil Dutschke
For some reason Devon had a love of Afrikaans music even though he didn’t speak the language. But each to his own.
Morgade was the end of a good day and the start of a brilliant Camino.