Lugo to Ferreira - Blueberry smoothies or ?

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I have a confession. Sometimes places that sell blueberry smoothies are better than churches. There I’ve said it. Summer sun shone in Galicia today. It became hot, very hot - and cool drinks vital.
Who would have thought looking out the window this morning?
Breakfast at the hotel was lavish. Sadly, weeks on the Camino have lowered my capacity for anything more than coffee, juice, toast with tomatoes, salt & olive oil, and the occasional tortilla - but I did my best.  There was so much I did not know where to look. So I took a picture of the fruit! You can imagine the rest.
Obeying the sign (almost) saying ‘please don’t take food out of the dining room’  I resisted the temptation to put a banana in my pocket. Confident I had had enough, I went on my way down out of the old city,

and through the Santiago gate -  a key entrance since Roman times, one that King Alfonsus ll had likely walked through on his forensic mission toward the field of stars, and has been subsequently widened by an 18th century local bishop to allow easier passage of his episcopal carriages. Hey, fair enough! 

The world heritage wall remains pristine in early traffic after centuries.
More temptation - sorry, no time today I’ve got walking to do.
And today was no picnic. After a beautiful early morning walk across the bridge and 
along the river,
There was a lot of road walking.
At least the track was straight.

Temperature was rising, but this did not seem to bother farm animals.
A chicken came down to say hello.
Shaded lanes provided welcome intermittent relief from the heat 
Around midday, I came across an oasis! Shade, drinks, a food van. There was even a swimming pool. 

With around two hours walking left, I pressed on. 
An hour later, I found another oasis,
One that sold blueberry smoothies!!
I was in heaven. Refreshed, I headed out again.

Hot, with some shade. 
Another hour and I checked into my accommodation
 and a had beer and some lunch, freshly made tortilla.
Later I caught up with Andrea and other Camino friends and  to dipped my feet in cool nearby river water.
It felt good.
Only three days to Santiago from here - with cooler weather expected - life is good.






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