1 May 2012 Portomarin to Palas De REI

25km to go today and my boots feel like old friends, stabilising me for the path and whatever it may bring. We got a late start today since we were staying in a private Hostal and did not have to be out by 8 am. We had a leisurely breakfast of bread, cheese and jam, and the requisite cafe con leche. Now it's back across the river and into the woods for a half day of beautiful trails. Spring flowers are blooming, trees leafing a bright green, crops and gardens are being planted all over Galicia. We have sun for a small part of the day. The smell of natural fertilisers follows us again today -not as toxic as you might think. The path weaves through farms and tiny villages with unexpected frequency. Much of the afternoon, the path follows paved country roads, but there is little traffic. There is the one small car who stops at each house so the driver can get out and read the meter-located behind a small glass window on the road side of homes, barns or fences. The panderia truck also makes the rounds, dropping fresh bread along the way. A small rain shower and a light wind end our day as we round the last turn into Palas De Rei and bed - 25.8 km and the leg is holding up well.