Day 34 Miraz to Sobrado dos Monxes

I ate well last night and with an interesting mother and daughter from the US. They decided the Hostel Rural Bi Terre was the most relaxing one the Camino and they are staying an extra night. I would have been tempted to do this but I had accommodation booked in Sobrado. There was a convenient short cut with a charming and accurate map drawn by the small niece of the owner, and since another hot day was forecast I had no hesitation in following the new route which joined the official Camino after about 6km, and reduced the day’s distance to a very manageable 17km.

I arrived at lunchtime in Sobrado after spending some time beside the lake, extra, which was constructed by the monks in the early 1500s by damming several small tributaries of the River Tambre. This provided them with a reliable water supply and trout during Lent. Today it’s covered in water lilies and a popular bird watching spot. My Merlin bird app picked the sound of great crested grebes but with all the water lilies I failed to spot any. It was also a no stork day.

The monastery is quite stunning, currently there are 14 Cistercian monks with daily services including a Pilgrim Mass, the first I’ve come across on the del Norte. I opted to go to Vespers from which I have just returned. There was no translation of the liturgy and the monk who guided us to the chapel advised “your best bet is to go with the Zen”, in a voice that could have been Rowan Williams.

My room overlooks the monastery and the town square where there are more pilgrims eating pizza than I’ve seen on the entire Camino. And now a supper of Pimientos del Padrón and perhaps a glass of vino blanco.