Almost There

Well the days seem to be flying by and there are now 89 kms to go to get to Santiago, talk about mixed emotions.  Coming through the mountains over the last few days has been exhausting but the views have rewarded every bit of effort.  I run out of superlatives to use to describe all that I see.  It's hard to believe I am walking through all this majesty, not only walking by castles such as the Knight's Templar castle in Ponferrada, dating to the 13th century but also ancient monasteries such as Samosa.  I was lucky enough to time my visit there and have a tour, I swear I could feel the ghosts of the old monks wandering the halls.  Today only six remain.
I had climbed to 1300 metres to get to O Cebreiro and even though the thought of the ascent had filled me with dread, as I left there, the clouds had dropped down over the mountaintops and it felt as if I could reach out and touch them.  I had now entered into the province of Galicia where the weather promises to be unpredictable but so far there has brilliant sunshine for days.  After the flat terrain of the Meseta the walk through the mountains was very welcome and then the rolling countryside that followed was a real delight.  Cherries hang from the trees and roses cascade over garden fences. Poppies dot the wheatfields and small farms blend in with tidy homes where summer sits in the gardens.
Soon countryside begins again and the butterflies of all different colours flit among the wild flowers.  I was treated to bluebells and wild purple foxgloves, then yellow lupins appeared today.  Fig trees have started to appear along the way and the fruit hangs heavy on the branches.  It seems as if nature puts on a show for me every day.