26 October Friol to Sobrado

Destination: Monastery at Sobrado and nothing much happened on the way. Lots of fog (see pics from previous days), lots of forest (see pics from previous days), lots of farm trails (see pics….) and a few loose dogs (no pics available sorry – we walked straight on by and left them alone….Micaiah, who was carefully snuggled in the midst of a familial circle which protected him from any canine encounter, informed us that the dogs were friendly, he could see it in their eyes!) The main point of interest was where the Primitivo track joined the Norte route. We sat down at the roadside and within a few minutes had met six pilgrims travelling south, all of them friendly.Arriving at the monastery, we finally found a story for the blog; Brother LawrenceThat’s him behind Macmillan the cat who aspires to be a hippopotamus when he grows up. Brother L encouraged the children to learn from this that it is good to have dreams when you are young!

What do you think of when you think of a monk? Perhaps serious, pious, reserved, quiet, possibly even dour? Bro L is none of that. One of the seventeen brothers living and working this monastery (which was designed for five times that number and actually looks big enough to house a whole community of refugees), he is quick-witted, seriously funny, relaxed, engaging and wonderfully hospitable. I meant to relay the check-in conversation here….he had us in stitches….but since then a few glorious hours have passed and the details escape me. I’m just left with a warm memory of smiles and laughter.

It is the most A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. monastery. Pictures can’t do it justice and as everyone else in our bunk room is already trying to sleep I think I should turn my phone off….just let me encourage you to come here if you ever get the chance to. Even go to vespers (though the kids might disagree with that advice!)

Distance: 25.5

Elevation gain: 458m

Temperature: didn’t check, but not warm

Other pilgrims: in our dorm an American lady and Australian couple…also met a Florida couple and a handful of others