About 10:15am - the camino diverts to the left.
Passing through Ventosa or Lombao, I think the two ran more or less into one another, and there was no signs indicating either. I was lucky not to miss an arrow about this time, but a friendly garbage truck driver pointed out my oversite - his truck had blocked my view of the arrow actually.
The ruins of what appeared to have been an interesting building.
Castelo, which didn't exist on my list, but which was adjacent to Aguapasada, where there was supposedly a medieval bridge - which I failed to see.
Between Aguapesada and Castineiro Do Lobo.
Susavila Do Carballo, about 2hrs and 40 minutes gone, and with 14ks done and about 6 or 7 more to go.
Typical of the country homes and settings along this route this morning.
Approaching Reino, about 11:35am.
Passing through Reino.
About 11:45am, approaching Burgueiros.
Burgueiros, with 16ks done.
With 17ks done and about 5 or 6 to go I enter Pontemaceira at 11:55am. The walk has been good, but I have kept up a fairly keen pace. I would have been interested in staying here, but there was little on offer at this time of the day. So I moved on.
And behold, the magnificent XIV century bridge over el rio Tambre awaits my crossing.
This structure has borne the weight of many a pilgrim and more...and beckons me to cross over.
Looking from the bridge across to the right, a lovely sight. How beautiful this village must be on a warm sunny day.
As I complete my crossing of the beautiful bridge, I look back one more time, then turn left to leave the village behind.
An impressive pilgrim's cross as I leave the village just on noon, with a half hour to go.
With under half an hour to go, I cross under a sturdy stone bridge as I follow the stream for a way. Soon I ring Pete Sherman as I head up onto the road and into the settlement of Barca just 10 minutes on.
At about 12:30pm, having reached the edge of Negreira, I decide not to take the road to the right to the Hotel Tamara which was recommended, but to continue towards the centre of town and check out La Mezquita. This option proved best, as this hostel was right in the middle of town.
An impressive gateway to an impressive old home on the edge of town.
An imposing statue dedicated to pilgrims in the main street as I walk towards the centre of town.
Sitting having a beer at 12:45pm, I was distracted by a smoker on the next table. Terry is the name of a Spanish brandy, and also the name of my brother who died just over two years previously from lung cancer - he was a heavy smoker. I had a second beer for Terry.
The centre of Negreira, a bustling little town, and on the corner, the hostel "La Mezquita" where I stayed - very friendly.
An intriguing sculpture on the edge of town. At first glance it seems to be a child pick-pocketing a pilgrim. But on closer examination it is not a pilgrim as such, but what appears to be a man leaving home, with the child trying to hold him back. His lower legs are actually tree trunks, symbolising perhaps his bond with his ancestral land. The globe of the earth above perhaps indicates migration from this land to other parts...
...from the other side.
The enchanting old entrance to the town - which would be the point of my departure the following morning.
Beyond the edge of the town - Negreira is certainly set in lovely countryside.
The outskirts of town, along the river side. I had checked out the arrows for the morning - the departure would be straightforward enough.
