So for those who have been following our travels you will know this a big day for us. It started wonderfully as our fantastic host Ellie provided us with a great bacon and egg breakfast - I fear Rhon will insist on these every morning when we get home. We were apprehensive about the weather and it was raining steadily when we ate, but lifted to an overcast but dry day as we got on the road. Today was always going to be all road - to ride the trail you would need a very good mountain bike and very very strong legs. So off we went and after half an hour had done 7k quite easily. An hour later we had managed another 7, and after another hour only 5 more. This put us at 1200mtrs having climbed almost continually from the start. Fortunately the weather was not too bad although it was drizzling hard most of the time. Then the last leg of this long climb was the final 3k to the top of O Cebreiro which took us half an hour of very slow slogging. But we got there and everyone was ecstatic. Then we had a break visiting a 9th century church which Rhon will tell you about. Back on the road again we had to get to another two peaks including Alto do Poio at 1337m which is higher than O Cebreiro. We weren't quite prepared for this but managed to pedal the whole way. I hope the photos do justice to the amazing scenery. The weather had remained kind and we were very lucky to have it in our side for a while, because then we started the descent and the rain arked up as well. However after what we had been through two days earlier, this driving rain seemed like a light shower. So after our long uphill haul we enjoyed 15k's coasting downhill to our destination in Samos. On the go 8 hours, 60k travelled - tonight we are all tired but know the worst is behind us and we have achieved an amazing result today.
Yes, we did it and we are all pretty proud of ourselves. I am afraid that I am in danger of becoming an adrenalin junkie! It was a tough but truly exciting day, despite the weather, despite the 5 long steep peaks that had to be conquered and despite my bike problems (still can't get 1:1 - which is bikespeak for the lowest gear which is needed for these tough ascents)' it was one of the memorable days we have had. An unexpected highlight was the church that Barry mentioned earlier at O Cebreiro. this is the oldest pilgrim church on the Camino. It has a Baptisimal fount which dates to the times when baptisms were done by immersion. It was surrounded by a number of other buildings including some Pallozas, traditional Galician houses which are round with thick stone walls and curving thatched roofs. Originally the people and animals all lived under the same roof. At one of the peaks today we stopped to take some photos and I left my water bottle (not a good idea on a ride like this where the only water available for long stretches is the driving rain). Anyway we were sitting in a cafe about an hour later when 2 young Spanish men rode up with my water bottle. Much fuss was made of this by everyone and the water bottle was exchanged for a kiss on each check and several photos - this is typical of the kindness shown by complete strangers on the Camino.
Quote for the day "Accept responsibility for your own life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no-one else."
PS Thank you to all of our friends and family who have emailed us comments. It brings much joy to us to have your support and encouragement. Sorry that the comment section on the blog is still not working.
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