Our short day was nevertheless a strenuous one. It was a fairly steep ascent with lots of very muddy stretches. We had thought we might be wimps choosing such a short day but it turned out that was what almost everyone else had done.
Instead of being the first ones out of the albergue we were the very last. And we discovered as much privacy as when we went first!
River forgot to post yesterday's photo of a typical slate roof. So here it is as photo 1. We find then interesting and attractive.
Photo 2 shows our walk partly along a river with frequent sound of cowbells.
Photo 3 shows a moment of blue sky, rare and special during this rainy spell.
We found O'Cebreiro with its ancient Celtic (pre-Christian, pre-Roman, 2500 year old ) round thatch-roofed buildings fascinating and beautiful. Photo 4 shows one of the restored buildings.
We really enjoyed the beauty of the tiny mountaintop village. We hope photos 5 and 6 give you a glimpse of that beauty.
The old pre-Romanesque church has a relic of a chalice connected with a miracle transubstantiation of the wine and host into the actual blood and flesh of Jesus, to substantiate the faith of a poor farmer who had braved storm and bad weather to travel a long distance to attend mass, and to correct the priest who (doubting the truth of the sacrament) had thought the farmer foolish to travel such a distance at such risk. Though not drawn to the literal story of the miracle, River related to it as a myth that suggests that strength from the invisible, infinite realm can come into our finite, incarnate realm and make it possible to bear suffering without rancor and malice, and even with loving kindness in a way that can be redemptive (her version of the Jesus myth) and that faith helps to make this possible. So River having her sickest weakest day thus far walked the for her most difficult walk of the Camino as a prayer for that kind of faith. So it was profound to arrive at the little church, listen to the chants being played there, light candles for her sister Bonnie (and all in need of healing) and her PCT trail Angel-mentor Meander and all PCT hikers, and to gaze on the "holy grail" of the miraculous chalice. Photos 7 and 8 show the church, photo 9 the candles (imagine Gregorian chanting).
Many thanks as always for walking with us. We love to hear from you.
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