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Week 3. The last leg Portomarin to Santiago de Compostella July 5-9 aprox 95 km's.

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Day 13:  Thursday July 5 rest and recreation in Portomarin, in the Spanish Province of Lugo. The town was built next to a Roman bridge over the Minho river and rebuilt in the Middle Ages. It has a small population of over 2000. In the 1960's the Minho river was dammed to create the Belesar reservoir, putting the town under water. The most historic buildings were moved brick by brick and reconstructed  in the new town, including the castle style Church of San Juan. Church of San Juan.   Town Mural.   Main street.   Municipal offices.   Very typically Spanish!   Unusual shopfront and pedestrian archway. Day 14:  Early morning start for our 25 km leg to Palas De Rei, named after the palace of King Witiza ( 702-710 ). The weather forecast is cool, cloudy and rain free and gradually warming up over the remainder of our Camino, good news!   Early morning leaving Portomarin.   Rest break. Village along the way.   Family cemetery.   Change

Week 2. Villafranca del Bierzo to Portomarin June 29-July 4 aprox 105 Km's

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Day 7:   June 29 rest day in Villafranca. Sleep in and quite day exploring this beautiful 11th Century town, catching up with washing and having a swim in the river at the town's riverfront recreational area. We encountered rain on our arrival the day before which kept up for most of the day but temp. still in high 20's. Early dinner and made ready for the next stage of facing the challenge of North West Spain's mountain ranges. The weather has turned and forecast of 7 days rain, showers and thunderstorms with much cooler temps. A bit of testing was coming up. View from our Hotel overlooking the Plaza. Hotel entrance.   Municipal building. My swimming hole.  Queuing up in the rain for the local theatre production.   Fixed street bins for recycle, organic and general waste. One of 1/2 doz. Monasterio's located around this beautiful 11th Century town. Day 8:  Awoke to steady rain and after a 7.30 breakfast 'packed' up an