Eirexe to Melide

Posted on by Pete Schloss

At O Coto (near Melide), June 22, 2026.

Dear Followers, Friends, Family, and Christine.

Christine, I wish I could say something other than that it is hot as hell, but it is… Hot as Hell!

A delightful group of older women from Malaysia were enjoying a rest and cool drinks in the course of their walk. We engaged in a conversation and I commented how I understand that this weather is not normal in Spain. One of the women responded with a bright smile, “There’s a lot that’s not normal in your country too!“ We all had a good laugh.

Charlie and I have avoided the news except for the unavoidable headlines that appear on our cell phones. I think the peace of the Camino demands it.

Typically the days start cool with temperatures in low to mid 60s, but with humidity approaching 100%. By noon the sun has cut through the haze, temperatures have soared to approximately 20 degrees above seasonal norms. Humidity drops accordingly.

With today’s hike concluded we have only three more before we walk into Santiago. Each of these coming stages are a little over 20 km long. Rain, which we have thus far entirely avoided, appears in the forecast on the 24th and 25th. Fingers crossed that our luck continues.

The plan is that on the 25th we will walk to the Cathedral and after getting a final stamp in our credentials we will proceed to the bus depot and catch transportation to Finisterra. We have arranged one night lodging in Finisterra, transportation to Muxia, a night in Muxia, and then again transportation back to Santiago. We should arrive there the second time around 1 o’clock the afternoon of the 27th. We will check into the hotel and then anxiously await your arrival!

We again shared an albergue and dinner with our young friend, Madi. She has moved on ahead of us today. It is hoped that she will join us and meet you the evening of the 27th in Santiago. 

I hope you enjoy today’s pictures. I’m so happy that our daughter and her three children have arrived safely to join you and her daughter on the Amalfi coast. Love, Me.

Peace Everyone and Buen Camino. Pete.

The eeriness of morning fog on the trail.
So many children on the trail, so much joyful noise. 
Charlie and I calculate that we have each covered at least 600,000 steps so far. it is said that to walk the entire French way involves at least 1 million steps. In places where the trail remains largely unchanged for 1000 years the footsteps of millions of pilgrims have worn the path many feet deep. 
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Religious symbolism has been prominent throughout the Camino. Each village seems to have its own ancient church and these equally ancient crosses have marked the path of the Camino as far back as the 15th century. 
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The interiors of some of the churches have been updated and appear quite modern. Others seem organically primitive. They are all places that welcome prayerful contemplation. 
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A modern take on Santiago showing a pilgrim the way. 
Charlie and I took a brief detour to visit an archaeological dig. This hilltop site is surrounded by defensive berms and dates back to 1100 BCE. 
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These fanciful folk sculptures are found in the garden of an albergue known as “The Way of the Ants“. 
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This brave little sneak was waiting to steal crumbs off my plate. The nerve!
It is sometimes said that every picture tells a story. As I walked by this automobile wrecking yard I couldn’t help but notice that within was a car from a driving school. 
A happy Charlie waiting to refill his beer glass as we waited for check-in at Casa de Los Samoza.
These are Germans Matthias and Bridget. eight years ago they met on the central route of the Portuguese Camino.  We visited a couple times with them today, but it was only in the last few minutes of the final visit that I learned that Matthias is a mediator in Germany! 
The beautiful garden at Casa de los Samoza
This sculpture in the Casa gardens depicts a chef cooking octopus while a pilgrim waits to be served and a dog hopes for scraps. 

What Do You Think?