Tag 29 - O Cebreiro nach Samos

The picture of the sunset is from yesterday evening. I was also at the pilgrim mass yesterday evening. Very interesting and the priest did a very good job. For the pilgrim blessing at the end, all the pilgrims gathered in a circle around the altar and the blessing was spoken in all the languages of those present. In addition, each pilgrim received a stone with a yellow arrow on it. The yellow arrow is currently showing us the way to Santiago de Compostela. After that, love will show us the way forward.

With these words in mind, I set off today at 8:00 a.m. The first decision I had to make was whether to walk along the country road again or take a slightly longer route over some hilltops. I decided on the longer alternative.
The route begins through the forest and wherever there is a gap in the trees, breathtaking views of the mountains await. The "Alto San Roque" and the "Alto Do Pio" mark the two highest points on this stage, which has many small villages along the way.
I want to have breakfast at Alto Do Pio. But a few other people thought the same, so I wait almost an hour for my breakfast and lose a lot of time.
The day is very strenuous, with steep climbs and then descents. But the surroundings and the wide views into the distance are worth every effort. There are far too many people on the road for my taste. I also see a German tour bus for the first time and of course the cheerful people who are walking without backpacks and the easiest part of the day. But even then they struggle and I feel a little bit of glee.
Then it's downhill for several hours, with a few short climbs, to Triacastela. Once I get there, I don't want to end the day. The question is whether I should take the 7km shorter route via Furela or the correspondingly 7km longer route via Samos. Of course, I choose the longer route.

A short anecdote was a light spectacle that shone through the trees at the exact moment the photo was taken, so that an arrow could be seen pointing in the direction of travel.

After walking a few kilometers along the country road, the path continues along small paths or forest trails. The river is my constant companion. Small waterfalls are seen again and again and the background noise is very fitting for the rest of the path, on which there are hardly any pilgrims.
Other tiny but ancient villages offer variety in the picturesque surroundings until the old city walls of Samos mark the end of the town.
In Samos, everything revolves around the huge and beautiful monastery, in whose guesthouse I am staying overnight today, 34 km away. The church that belongs to it is also very impressive.
Tomorrow I want to go a little further than Sarria. The so-called highway of the Camino begins in Sarria. The last 100km and the distance that you have to walk at least to receive the Conpostela at the end. So from tomorrow on it will be really busy and I want to avoid all the normal stage towns.