It was a quiet day today. Only 10 kilometres to Palas de Rei. We stopped and put on the backpack covers after the drizzling rain looked like it was here to stay. We had no sooner started walking again when the rain stopped. We left the rain covers on ‘in case’. Palas de Rei’s name comes from Pallatium Regis, the palace of The Visigothic king Witiza. He reigned from 702 – 710.

The town was a lot smaller than I expected. It’s population of 3,600 is engaged in the dairy industry and the Ulloa cheese brand. Ulloa cheese is a soft cows milk cheese with a minimum 6 day maturity.

We only had another 15 k to do and on leaving Palas de Rei the distant sky showed promise of clearing. More country roads through pretty, small towns.

with beautiful old churches

and different Horreos.

An old headstone forming part of a fence with wash troughs and animal troughs.

Everyday life in Casanova

Country gates

A walkers shop with Camino badges among many things. Just what I was looking for. Handyman Dave sat on the seat opposite the shop as I debated for far longer than necessary which ones to buy. There were just too many to choose from. A man was trying to affix a Correos (equivalent to Auspost) Box to the brick wall of the walkers shop but he kept dropping it. Handyman Dave left his seat and gave him a hand. Thanks Handyman Dave.

The closer we came to our destination of Melide the heavier the drizzly rain became. We estimated our arrival time and dispensed with putting on our rain jackets. Our backpacks were covered and that was the important thing. Finally arriving at our chosen Albergue we were told that due to an emergency it was closed but they would take us to a similar one nearby. On arrival we were very pleased with the alternative accommodation. A nice street view and an all important way marker right across the street