My leg was sore and swollen when I woke up but was nowhere as bad as the previous morning. Despite the upcoming, lengthy climb to O Cebreiro, I was confident that I would make it since I had noticed it was less painful to walk uphill.
The first few kilometres were mostly a gentle uphill but my lower left leg was getting more sore with every step – so much for my theory. I finally realized the elastic ankle support I was wearing was cutting off the circulation. After removing it, the pain subsided, although the ankle and shin remained badly swollen.
The first few kilometres were mostly a gentle uphill but my lower left leg was getting more sore with every step – so much for my theory. I finally realized the elastic ankle support I was wearing was cutting off the circulation. After removing it, the pain subsided, although the ankle and shin remained badly swollen.
731 Ouch! 
The first half of the trek was beautiful. We walked through small villages where people obviously took great pride in their homes. Colourful flowers were everywhere – in window boxes, pots, and along property borders.
The first half of the trek was beautiful. We walked through small villages where people obviously took great pride in their homes. Colourful flowers were everywhere – in window boxes, pots, and along property borders.
651 Beautiful garden near La Portela
652 I did not stop to smell the flowers, though the bench was inviting. 
At one point we passed a large group of young school children ambling along the side of the road with their teachers. Many of them were wearing backpacks making them look like little peregrinos.
At one point we passed a large group of young school children ambling along the side of the road with their teachers. Many of them were wearing backpacks making them look like little peregrinos.
654 Little peregrinos near Vega de Valcarce. 
Many consider this stage to be the most difficult on the Camino and the last 12 kilometres proved them correct. It was brutally steep and the ever-hotter sun and poor footing made walking even more difficult; however, the incredible vistas looking back to the east rewarded our efforts.
Many consider this stage to be the most difficult on the Camino and the last 12 kilometres proved them correct. It was brutally steep and the ever-hotter sun and poor footing made walking even more difficult; however, the incredible vistas looking back to the east rewarded our efforts.
660 Rocky climb to O Cebreiro.
668 The view from whence I came. In the distance is Markus on the trail. 
O Cebreiro is a stone settlement with a history that predates the Romans. The most striking feature of the village is the pallozas, a traditional Gallic round hut with stone walls and conical straw and broom-thatched roofs which aerodynamically deflect the mountain winds. I was fortunate to arrive while local craftsmen were in the process of installing a roof.
O Cebreiro is a stone settlement with a history that predates the Romans. The most striking feature of the village is the pallozas, a traditional Gallic round hut with stone walls and conical straw and broom-thatched roofs which aerodynamically deflect the mountain winds. I was fortunate to arrive while local craftsmen were in the process of installing a roof.
686 Assembling bundles of straw thatch for the roofs.
687 Traditional stone bilding used for residences and also for storage. 
The views from the ridge looking west toward the province of Galicia were even more spectacular. I could see for at least 50 kilometres. I was really fortunate, since the weather at O Cebreiro is usually awful, with summer snowstorms and frequent days filled with dense fog.
The views from the ridge looking west toward the province of Galicia were even more spectacular. I could see for at least 50 kilometres. I was really fortunate, since the weather at O Cebreiro is usually awful, with summer snowstorms and frequent days filled with dense fog.
673 Yikes! The view to where we were heading tomorrow.
680 We're going down, way way down. 
Later in the evening Markus and I went to a local restaurant where we celebrated his 33rd birthday. He doesn’t drink alcohol, so I was forced to drink the whole bottle of wine.
Later in the evening Markus and I went to a local restaurant where we celebrated his 33rd birthday. He doesn’t drink alcohol, so I was forced to drink the whole bottle of wine.
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