We started out this morning with some concern for what the day would bring. It had rained heavily last night and the forecast called for thunder showers. We had a long day ahead to get to Camarzano de Tera with a significant ascent and lots of off-road. On top of that this is the one destination where our accommodation is not confirmed in writing so we want to get there in sufficient time to deal with that should there be an issue
As usual for this trip things worked out very well from the start out
We were unable to buy groceries for breakfast yesterday (Sunday) but our hotel put on a great breakfast and at 7:30! And again the weather forecast was wrong, in our favour.
We set out from Zamora more optimistic with the road leading off on the distance.
The first stage of the day was a sandy, gravel road as you can see. It was wet and gave poor traction to the bikes so it was serious work especially since the whole section was made up of rolling hills. Here is John coming up one of those hills.
This stage, although only 20 km took quite a while and then we rolled into Montamarta and stopped at the bar for coffee where we met the Spanish cyclist from Granada whom we had met yesterday.
Just to prove to Steve that those birds nests in Salamanca were not a one off marketing gimmick, this is the top of the church in Montamarta
Leaving Montamarta for Tabara we saw this church
We decided that we needed to pick up some time and give our legs a bit of a break and so took the road for stage 2 to Tabara
At Tabara we met a pair of Spanish cyclists who were taking the road, they were commenting on the state of our bikes, covered in mud.
The church in Tabara was very old but of course was closed.
We stopped here for lunch. Ordering was interesting. The waitress, who we figured out was Bulgarian, spoke no English and spoke Spanish at an incredible speed
As we were gettimg nowhere she enlisted the help of a man to interpret. He of course spoke no english either, he simply spoke spanish at a slower speed!. We eventually resorted to pointing and managed a great lunch of tapas.
(Oh my God, John just walked in with a Magnum chocolate and almond covered ice cream bar!! He went out to check dinner options.)
Leaving Tabara we choose to go back on the off-road.
Here is myself checking our route.
We saw lots of evidence of Spain energy program, especially as we approached the hills.
(I will have to remove that power line with photo shop when I get home)
It is on this stage that we choose how we approach Santiago. If we go to Astoria we can go north and connect to the Camino Frances, otherwise we choose to go North West through Tabara and Ourense, through the mountains in Galicia. This latter is our route, known as the Camino Sanabres.
The route from Tabara proved challenging.
At first it was extremely wet and muddy which made cycling messy and slow. Later when it turned into sandy/stoney path it also had a lot of ascent with some pretty mean hills. These were more difficult by virtue of riding on stony surface.
Added to the discomfort was that when you slowed to a crawl on the climb the flies swarmed your face,arms and legs and then when you picked up speed on the descent the mud-caked tyres threw grit and mud up into your mouth,nose and eyes. All in all a challenging ride so we were glad when Santa Cruz de Terra rolled into view in the distance.
This was another small town, as we left I thought I should capture the examples of construction/architecture
Our final stage to Camarzana de Tera was again over dirt road. On this stage the vegetation changed with large plantings of Poplars
As we rode through Camarzana de Tera looking for the hotel, who should be meet but our Italian friends Mariano and Anna. We had a happy re-union, they are going on further today but we agreed, if we do not see each other again before Santiago that we will get together there.
Great mews, we found the hotel and they had our room!
I thought I would take a shot of my muddy legs before I shower.
Another day brought to a successful conclusion
Certainly more challenging than yesterday but a good day in all.
VDLPbyBike 
Sounds as if the mud made it a very uncomfortable cycle today. Love the pictures especially the one of the trees. I hope that there is a good dinner ahead of you.
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Hi Bridie
Yes, today was definitely a challenge, but then we always expected this end t be tougher than the first half! As one of the people we met said ‘ it is the camino’ anything can happen! We are having dinner. This is a small town and I think we are in the only lace that does dinner but it was delicious. I had mushrooms and class for starter. Roast chicken and french fries and now dessert. It is a fixed menu. All that and a bottle of wine is 12 euro! How could one complain. And after a day on the bikes we are starving!
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Glad you made it! One more hurdle over. I imagine that your route will be a lot tougher than the alternate one given that it is less travelled. That means that you will have even more to celebrate when it is over. Great to meet the Italians again! Good luck tomorrow. Love, Breda
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Hi Breda, can’t believe we are at this point. As Aisling said from now on we have more and more behind us tha we have to go! Looking forward to seeing you soon in Dublin
Love
D
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Looks like the longest and toughest leg of the second halfl . Great to hear ye got decent food twice today. A lot shorter tomorrow. Best of good luck
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Hi Donal, nice to see that you and Patricia are keeping an eye on us! I think we believe the toughest is yet to come. There are some big hill climb days in front of us but we are getting closer every day.
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I love the photo of the poplars, it is magnificent. Less than 70km tomorrow – should be a doddle! All the best, Mary
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Absolutely a doddle!
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My last day of intruding into your lives, though one never knows, I might get to bonbard you with more of my trivial observations if I get any internet connections, oh won’t you be lucky.
Another great achievement today, aren’t you marvelous. I hope your days ahead will not be to taxing and that you uncover many more beautiful places and people that will ease your labourious climb.
Thank you once again for the beautiful photos, the colours of the fields are spectacular and one of the old house would make a lovely watercolour picture.
Well my bags are all packed, we will travel over many mountains terrain but by car. Guaro here we come.
Be safe and take care,
May the road rise with you and the wind be at your back and the rain will be so soft to refresh your brow.
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Sounds like a very interesting ride, it s great that you are meeting some of the people you have already met along the way. Today’s ride was a really long one but I am glad that the Spanish weather men continue to get it wrong. Good luck with your adventures tomorrow.
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Hi both, it sounds like it was a good day, and the photos look great. I cannot believe you are just 5 days from Santiago. Hope everything goes well tomorrow.
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I know, hard to believe. Tomorrow is likely one of the hardest days so once we get past that we will probably start to feel closer to the finish. Your power balls will likely be useful in the next few days. D
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Ciao Dermot! Che bell’ avventura…lo sai che stavo pensando…force quei grandi nidi…sono di cicogna? Che pensi?
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Forse o dragoni! E’ interesante, ecetto il cinghiale non vedevamo mai animali selvatici!
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Draghi! Hai visto? Appena hai chiesto, hai ricevuto! Lungo il camino, i pellegrini ricevono a piene mani: un’incontro magico con un cervo!!!
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To Ann Mullen, Hope you have a wonderful time in Spain. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we will miss your input from now on. Breda
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Hi Dermot, I have been following your progress – IBC was a walk in the park compared to your cycle ! Best Wishes John O’Brien
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