At first, I didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t something I was accustomed to or wanted to see so late in the day. Five cattle, including two bulls with pointy horns, walked toward me. I didn’t want to run back, so I clung against the dirt bank on the side of the road. They sauntered and didn’t look like they would charge, but I felt uneasy especially when one cow started chewing the grass at my feet. After a few moments, a bull took the lead and headed up the road, while the others followed. I walked briskly ahead but there were more cattle, at least a dozen this time. These ones were on the move and brushed right against me… From Page 165, Camino De Santiago In 20 Days. Okay, it wasn’t quite a stampede, but for this city boy, the experience was a little unnerving.
Let’s resume the Camino Francés on the edge of Biduedo, where I left my last post, On The Camino De Santiago in Spain, Hospital da Condesa to Biduedo, staring at this beautiful view over the RÃo Lóuzara Basin. After being in the rain and cold for most of the day, I really wanted to get down the mountain and feel the sun.
The path here wasn’t quite as scenic. This waymark or bollard showed the way.
This is better… more scenic views of Galicia. Even a brief glimpse of sun brought out the brilliant colors.
I regret that I was in the fog here, as I would have much rather walked through this patch of heather in the sun. Still, it was a memorable experience.
I stopped and watched this bull with the farmland as a backdrop. He looked like he had no interest in me at all, but I’m sure he was used to seeing pilgrims for most of the day. There was not a fence here, if I remember correctly. I’m glad the bull was calm, because after walking about 46 kilometers, I had no energy to run away.
Ahhh… Galicia. If you have walked the Camino in Galicia, you know how pleasant it can be. Except possibly, when you have the aforementioned encounter with the herd of cattle such as I had. There wasn’t much space to get out of the way. That was just ahead.
This was another favorite photo. At one point the man, who was tending to the cattle, the horse, and the dog were all looking at me. Just before I took the photo, the dog took off (behind the horse), and the horse obviously couldn’t wait to nibble on some adjacent grasses.
Just ahead, I saw more cattle, but they were spread out and I could easily walk around them.
After you cross the highway before Triacastela, there are three hamlets (Filloval, As Pasantes, Ramil)Â in close proximity to each other. I believe this chapel was in As Pasantes.
More brilliant colors in the evening sun. Although I’d had a long day, I was very happy to get down the mountain, take off the raingear, and finally feel the sun for more than just a moment.
 Overlooking Triacastela. I’ll talk about the town more on my next post.
 More peaceful track just before…
 this spooky scene as I approached the ancient hamlet of Ramil.
I hope you enjoyed this post as I’ll stop just on the edge of Triacastela. On my next post, On The Camino De Santiago in Spain,Triacastela to San Cristobo, I’ll talk about the significance of the chestnut to this area before taking you through the historic town. Please join me.
If you have my book, Camino de Santiago In 20 Days, or have ordered it, I really appreciate your support. It’s also out on Kindle. My Goodreads page has reviews and more information. Please share this post, and thanks for your time.
About Randall St. Germain
Randall St. Germain, author of Camino de Santiago In 20 Days, is a middle-aged Canadian Boy who is passionate about nature, photography, hiking, music, and self-improvement. After the death of his mother, he chose to walk the famous pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago, across the north of Spain, despite knowing little about it. He certainly didn’t plan to write a book until the latter days of his Camino. Similar to walking the Camino, writing and publishing a book was a learning experience. It was also very rewarding, and part of his ongoing journey. Please join him as he takes you along on his journey in Camino de Santiago In 20 Days, and on his blog Camino My Way.
I laughed at the start of this post when you talk about the cattle. As a kid I grew up in the country side, so I didn’t have any issues with the cattle along the way.
I have just started reading books again on the Camino, just finishing Buen Camino – I have now added your book to my list – good that it is kindle as it seems to be the way I consume my reading now.
Leslie, thanks so much for stopping by this blog. Thank you also for your work on Camino Forums. Glad you thought the start of the post was funny. When you get my book, don’t take it too seriously either