Day 12 - Samos to Melide

 Probably the day with the least variety of scenery on the journey. A day of grinding up an endless series of hills in blazing sunshine. Mostly we saw the road a few feet in front of our wheels and the sum of all this was the biggest climbing total of the trip at 4,525 ft. One result of not looking up is that no photographs of these endless hills were taken. 

These are the first pictures after we had dropped into a deep valley which contained a very spooky wood. The road out was so steep Derek had to dismount and walk after a missed gear at the bottom. 


Our first town was Portomarín. The most historic buildings of the town, including the church, were moved from the valley bottom, brick by brick, and reconstructed in the new town up the hill when the river was dammed and the valley flooded.  It much water in the lake at this time of year. Note the many pilgrims crossing the bridge. 



We picked up our bikes and carried them up the steps that form the entrance to the town from the Camino. It was still a steep ride into the main square from the top and I managed to lose Derek who got lost in the small town for about 10 minutes! We had beer and bought sandwich supplies for lunch at the Supermercado. 



There was a particularly long and hot climb out of  Portomarín.  More hot climbs followed with little of interest other than a stop for a beer at a remote bar with a grumpy owner. Finally, the last climb into Melide to our very nice hotel. showered and took a big G&T before going out to dinner. Galicia in general, and Melide in particular, if famous for Pulpa (octopus) and we had a fine meal of Pulpa, Padron Peppers, Chorizo and French Fries. Bought very nice ice creams on the way back to the hotel which we had considerable difficulty finding in the complex, narrow and winding streets. 

The bar at the hotel had no Patxaran 😱 so we made do with the Galician equivalent. Last day into Santiago tomorrow!