Sara Dhooma | Day 9 - Camino del Mar | Wild Iberian Wolf & Camino Angel Hospitality at Casa Rodrigo in San Claudio @SaraDhooma | Uploaded September 2022 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
I packed up my tent and set off into a heavily forested area. To my surprise I saw a wolf on the road ahead of me. I didn’t get a good photo or video because it happened so fast. The wolf stared at me for a moment and then took off into the foliage. Great luck!!! ❤️
I descended the mountain area on a rough logging road to Couzadoiro. There I visited two nice churches and refilled my water bottles at their sports field.
The Camino route climbed up again on a road through eucalyptus trees. Sometimes I was on single track with thorny bushes scratching up my legs. The way descended towards a cluster of little villages. I did not see many people, but I said hello to numerous cows and horses. I had really nice open views throughout the day to admire the scenery.
I was excited to arrive in San Claudio to eat lunch at Casa Rodrigo. They terrace was very busy, but it was worth the wait for a fantastic meal of shrimp with eggs, savoury veal with fries, and a delicious cheesecake flan. When I asked for a stamp the family realized I was a pelegrina! The eldest son Raul did a terrific job of translating and they were not so keen about my idea to camp that evening. The family generously offered me a place to sleep in their home gym (with a shower inside). I was overwhelmed by their kindness, and enthusiastically accept their offer.
As the Camino del Mar stage ended further up, I left my big backpack and walked to A Ponte Mera. The trail took me high up from the busy road and I had super views of the villages. The route makes a ‘U’ turn down beside the river for a couple kilometres and crosses a small ancient bridge. Then it turns back up to A Ponte Mera along a recreation area. It was my intention to take the train back to San Claudio, but I forgot my mask 😅 so I re-walked about back 4km to Casa Rodrigo. Long day!!!!!
I was too full from lunch to have dinner so enjoyed a couple snacks with glasses of cold Estrella Galicia. The highlight of the day was chatting in English with teenager Raul - and learning all about David’s future albergue plans. I used my air mattress and sleeping bag on their gym floor and slept very well.
I packed up my tent and set off into a heavily forested area. To my surprise I saw a wolf on the road ahead of me. I didn’t get a good photo or video because it happened so fast. The wolf stared at me for a moment and then took off into the foliage. Great luck!!! ❤️
I descended the mountain area on a rough logging road to Couzadoiro. There I visited two nice churches and refilled my water bottles at their sports field.
The Camino route climbed up again on a road through eucalyptus trees. Sometimes I was on single track with thorny bushes scratching up my legs. The way descended towards a cluster of little villages. I did not see many people, but I said hello to numerous cows and horses. I had really nice open views throughout the day to admire the scenery.
I was excited to arrive in San Claudio to eat lunch at Casa Rodrigo. They terrace was very busy, but it was worth the wait for a fantastic meal of shrimp with eggs, savoury veal with fries, and a delicious cheesecake flan. When I asked for a stamp the family realized I was a pelegrina! The eldest son Raul did a terrific job of translating and they were not so keen about my idea to camp that evening. The family generously offered me a place to sleep in their home gym (with a shower inside). I was overwhelmed by their kindness, and enthusiastically accept their offer.
As the Camino del Mar stage ended further up, I left my big backpack and walked to A Ponte Mera. The trail took me high up from the busy road and I had super views of the villages. The route makes a ‘U’ turn down beside the river for a couple kilometres and crosses a small ancient bridge. Then it turns back up to A Ponte Mera along a recreation area. It was my intention to take the train back to San Claudio, but I forgot my mask 😅 so I re-walked about back 4km to Casa Rodrigo. Long day!!!!!
I was too full from lunch to have dinner so enjoyed a couple snacks with glasses of cold Estrella Galicia. The highlight of the day was chatting in English with teenager Raul - and learning all about David’s future albergue plans. I used my air mattress and sleeping bag on their gym floor and slept very well.
