Day 8 - Mos to Pontevedra - 32.4km

Good morning pilgrims. Its going to be a long one today - our longest stint this side of Santiago with 3 decent hills to overcome.

We woke up early, organising our stuff and setting off just after 7. We grabbed a quick coffee and hit the road. We made a plan to stop around 8km for breakfast, a further 8 for snacks, 8 more for a drink and lunch then a final push for 6km.

The first hill started straight away on leaving mos, with a long and decent incline. At the top we followed a path through woods and over the tops before a very steep drop down to where we wanted breakfast. Well that was not going to happen. The coffee was rancid and food options lacking so we quickly picked up and resumed the way. Another 3km to Redondela wont be that hard. And it was worth it. We found a nice brunch place and had a pilgrims brunch with bacon and eggs, yogurt and fruit, juice and toast. Just what we needed!

The path today seems better, though still a lot of concrete. At least the views over the estuary were nice. The second hill came straight after breakfast and took is steeply up through the woods. This was much more like it and reminded me of certain days on the Frances where long climbs through the trees were rewarded with oasis rest areas.

We got a great wax stamp on out camino passport at one such place!

Not long and we were heading back down, this time to the town of Arcade with its old roman bridge.

We bumped into "pilgrim" a scottish lad who oy gives his name as pilgrim and was in our room the night before last. We had a little chat before crossing the bridge to the third and final hill. Again the path wound up through the woods and it began to rain so out came the ponchos.

After this third climb and a few small chats with other pilgrims we reached a small bar where we stopped for a rest. It was 69km from Santiago! Making progress!!

Leaving here and heading to pontevedra we had another alternate route option - this time in hard rain! We decided to take the alternate and were so glad we did. The dirt path followed the river with rain dripping of the leaves around us. It was beautiful and peaceful and made the last long section much easier under foot.

The last few km through ponteveda brings us to our hostel. This one again has beds with power, lights and curtains, hot showers and little lockers for our bags. Its a nice place at a great price.

Time for laundry again so my short shorts are out (dont ask!!). Once done we will head out for dinner and hopefully a good sleep.

Its been a long day, but we feel strong and are ready for another one tomorrow. Though happy its only 16km tomorrow!!