Welcoming the Herd

Sarria is approximately 100km from Santiago, and so is an important stop on the Camino. The rules dictate that one can earn a compostella (certificate) from the Cathedral if one has travelled at least 100 km on the Camino, and Sarria is the last place to make that a possibility.

For those that do not have the time to walk the entire way, or who have the physical capacity or the desire, starting in Sarria is the answer and, as a result, the town is full to the brim with new recruits, as well as albergues, restaurants, hotels and bars, and sporting good stores and all things a peregrino and peregrina needs.

Also, peregrinos are required to obtain two stamps a day in their credential (Camino passport) instead of one for every day of their journey from Sarria to Santiago. Even though we have only received one each day (except for a few key places) we have filled our credential and have had to obtain a second one.

It is moderately easy to spot the new walkers as their clothes and shoes are clean and they do not limp. And this year, they - and we - are even more joyful as the weather is stunning - sunny and calm - not at all the weather any of us had been expecting to find in Galicia in late October!