Day 106- Portomarin to Palas de Rei in the rain

Day 106- Portomarin to Palas de Rei - 26 km Sun 7/9
Last night I moved to a bunk as far from the door as possible & had a great sleep. I was the first one up at 10 to 7. A passing shower meant I tested my new rain poncho this morning. Slung over my backpack but open at the front as the climb soon warms me up after crossing the bridge. Through the dark forest to Gonzar for coffee & toast. Here I chat with a couple of young Sth African accountants from Johannesburg. We exchange email addresses and go on our way. At 10.30 it starts to rain. At first I seek shelter but it is not stopping so keep on. Then I share a barn with some cows and chat with the farmer who tells me "welcome to rainy Galicia". We laugh and I move on. This is absolutely ridiculous, hilarious & crazy. All these pilgrims walking in the rain. All sorts of people in their multicoloured rain gear and some with no protection at all. The rain does not let up for the rest of the day. At least the terrain is good for walking and not dangerous for this pilgrim with her unroadworthy boots. My feet are wet but my walking poles give me good grip and stability, even when I lend one to another pilgrim to negotiate what is now a stream of muddy water running over rocks in a narrow gully between a rock wall and grassy stuff on the other side. I use 1 pole and hold onto the rocks with the other hand as we straddle the stream of water. At the bottom I take a photo of the line of pilgrims following. It makes me laugh out loud. We look so silly. Grown up people walking in the rain, sloshing around in the mud. Hilarious. Finally it's into Palas de Rei. My new poncho which I bought in Burgos has served me well. Apart from my feet I and my backpack are warm and dry. I check into a new Albergue- Castro where I can have a bed in an 8 bed room, sharing with three other pilgrims. Great. For the first time when I tried to get into the new albergue San Marcos, opposite the church, I was told no go because they only had a room for 4 not 1. An interesting way of doing things. I guess they are only catering for groups.