11 October 2023
Quiroga to A Labrada - 17 kms
We said goodbye to the Rio Sil and the Sil Valley today when the camino path took us out of the valley and up into the hills and tonight we're staying in a pensíon in a tiny settlement on the edge of the Rio Lor.
Once away from Quiroga all of today's walk was on quiet roads. The first 5 kilometres or so were sealed then were mostly unsealed from there.
The greater part of the walk was through pine forests, or where the trees had been cleared. After some time we realised that the land had been cleared due to what must have been massive forest fires, leaving charred trees and/or stumps.
Although most of the walk was through forest areas there were several lovely tree-lined sections and there was a much appreciated breeze so the day didn't get too hot at all.
Near the top of the today's climb we had a lunch stop at the Capella dos Remedios, a small 17th chapel. Like most the churches we have seen in Spain, it was locked but we were able
to see inside and it was beautiful.
We walked through just one small settlement, O Carbalo de Lor, on our descent down to where we are now.
It was 30 ° in the midafternoon when we arrived at our stop for the day, but cooled quite quickly as the evening approached. When we set out from Quiroga this morning it was only 13°.
We set our from Quiroga a bit too early. Sunrise isn't until 8.40 and, initially, it was a bit too dark for walking.
The camino path took us our of Quiroga via a nearby town rather than out along the main road.
Looking back at Quiroga when crossing the Rio Sil. It wasn't long before we left the Sil Valley behind.
Although most of today's walk was on roads - both sealed and unsealed - this was the only vehicle we saw. It was puttering up the hill.so slowly that it took a long time to pass me.
It was s long steady climb up.
Some stands of trees survived what obviously was a massive forest fire.
At times there patches of purple haze under the trees.
The shaded tree-lined sections were wonderful.
The small 17th century chapel, Capella dos Remedios, where we stopped for our lunch break. Our packs are at the front.
Peeping in through the grilles allowed a view of it's interior.
I added our names in the pilgrim book at the chapel.
Entering O Carbalo de Lor
Coming into A Ponte Barxa where we left the camino to walk to our pensíon - about 400m away.
The medieval bridge, A Ponte, over the Rio Lor. An information board stated that it was most likely to have been built at the end of the 14th century or the beginning of the 15th. The earliest mention of it though was in a 1598 publication a map of the Kingdom of Galicia.
Jeff standing on the bridge...
...and an image of the King of Galicia riding over it in exactly the same place.
Walking to our pensíon...
...along the banks of the Rio Lor.
Our pensíon for the night. We had a wonderful stay there.
