No rain forecast today but we take precautions by packing our rain jackets just in case. Last night’s stay was at the Casa Antiga do Monte in Padron and the dinner last night (including Padron peppers!) and the breakfast this morning were both excellent. All the places we have stayed at on this walk have been of good quality – simply furnished but with all the essentials; good showers, comfy beds and air conditioning. The food has also been simple and nourishing.

Today’s walk is less than nine miles and is fairly flat. We pass a number of churches which are actually open, so that’s a nice surprise. The Iglesia de Santiago Apostol de Padron includes an alcove below the altar containing a stone reputed to be the mooring stone used when the body of St James arrived in Padron. Also above the altar is the representation of the Holy Spirit in the form of the eye and the triangle, also repeated on the US one dollar bill.

Over the last few days we’ve walked deeper into the rural countryside. The smaller communities have narrow, picturesque winding streets and friendly cats and dogs. Gardens with chickens, roosters, and goats are not uncommon and family sized vineyards abound. Katie pointed out that the grape trellises are taller here than we are used to; you can walk under them, perhaps they are easier to harvest from below? They make shade for the farm dogs too.