Day 3 – Pontedueme to Betanzos (12 miles)

Me, Angela and Martin set off early at 6 this morning.  Estimates in walking time had been way out so far and with this being a 12 mile day wanted to set off early to miss the heat and in the hopes we would arrive early afternoon.  Having missed out on the beach yesterday wanted to have time to visit the ‘theme park’  in this town. 

It is a really, really, really, really steep that takes you out of town, and it goes on for ever.  One of the disadvantages of walking in the dark is that you don’t pick up the yellow arrows and waymarks and so we missed our turn off and walked up to the main road.  ‘helpful’ locals will give directions as if you are travelling by car and once you are off the signs it is virtually impossible to find the route again and you have to follow the roads to the villages you are looking for. 

Secretly, Martin loves these detours as he is in his element, leading us out of the wilds, sniffing the ground for animal tracks and broken twigs to deduce the presence of recent peregrinos.  Personally I prefer the technical advantage of my ‘HTC legend –not-quite-an-iphone’ and the maps app plus free wifi in the cafes and asking locals to point to the route on the touch screen!  In the end, neither option was successful and we did not pick up the trial until we reached Mino and asked at the tourist information office. 

Went to the nearest cafe, took boots and socks off and drank more beer, ate calamares and cured ham with bread.  Excellent!  The rest of the gang by this time were at the other side of Mino and didn’t not miss the turning! (We were like the advance guard, texting our mistakes so they didn’t do the same!) 

Again this was a very nice walk which led us past the beach and although we were very tempted to run into the sea we were concerned that our plasters would come off! And we had run out of supplies!  Unlike yesterday we did not meet up for lunch as a group.  They were the other side of Mino and were just starting lunch as we finished. 

Angela regressing as we stop for a rest and a play at the top of the hill

We expected to see them on the road later or for them to stop at the cafe and to walk in together but as it turned out they passed us while we were sitting there and so we arrived just after them!  Great to see a cafe that was not on our itinerary and couldn’t resist!  Ang dropped the beer for a brandy and coffee and boots and socks came off for all.  Naturally I went to sleep! 

Stayed in an apartment above a bar called Betanzos Chocolaterie which was ok and found what looked like a nice restaurant but there were concerns from those the next day who braved the seafood paella!  Concerned about the lack of cafe opportunities for the next day the Angelas and myself caught last bell at the supermarket for some goodies to eat on the way.