OUR WAY

 22nd May 2025

Day 24 - Fonfría to Sarria

Galicia countryside

A short day today, and with a confirmed reservation and no check-in before 13:00, we took things at a more relaxed pace. Left at 6am, using the head torch for the first half hour. It started cool and cloudy, but by the time daylight broke, we were under the cloud line, wandering through big rolling hills, farmland, and woodlands. Over 1,200 metres of descent made the morning fly by.

Early morning on the camino

On arrival in Sarria, we wandered over to the hostal. We knew it wasn’t open until 1pm, but hoped there might be somewhere we could loiter respectably. After a supermarket detour, we returned and claimed a spot outside the hostal window, pastries in hand. Legs outstretched on the pavement, I had to keep folding mine in like a deckchair every time someone passed. Gaby said I had long legs. I said it was just a narrow pavement.

Showered and socks washed, we crossed the street to a local eatery we’d spotted earlier. Both of us went for the €7 half chicken and chips, assuming it would be, well, half a small chicken. It was not. Good thing we’ve walked 650km in the last 23 days, because that chicken was not small. One portion could’ve fed both of us...for a week. The generosity continued with the wine Gaby ordered, which appeared to come by the vat.

Chicken challenge

We staggered out - me from sheer poultry volume, Gaby with her leftovers boxed up but wine glass heroically emptied.

Round two came courtesy of the supermarket dessert aisle. I picked up the smallest tub of ice cream I could find (I didn’t look very hard), and Gaby grabbed a box of six cones - because apparently that’s the only way cones are sold. Sadly, the hostal had no freezer, so we had to eat it all before it melted. I succeeded (years of practice), while Gaby made it through three. I helped with a fourth, and the remaining two were gifted to a friendly couple in the hostel. “Eyes bigger than belly” springs to mind.

We honoured the Spanish tradition of a siesta to recover.

Gaby had her leftover chicken for tea. I did not. I was still digesting lunch. Possibly still am.

Hostel Pods

Where we stayed
Andaina
€16 bunk bed (pod )in 12 pod room
Hand washing, line drying. Washing machine & dryer. Good kitchen, modern dining area.
Our rating 8/10