A few days ago we made the left turn off the historical Via de la Plata onto the variant known as the Camino Sanabres. As we move towards the mountains of Galicia, the natural environment is changing. The forests are getting thicker, with more abundant wildlife. Today, for the first time, we saw several herds of deer. We also saw scores of rabbits in one area. (Ruth has offered to explain to me why you see a lot of rabbits when you see a few.) The traditional construction material of choice in the villages has changed from mud and straw to exposed rock with slate roofs.
We are currently in Puebla de Sanabria, the largest town we have seen for more than a week. The historical district is built on a height of land above the Tera River, and includes a 13th century castle and church. Many of the houses have been beautifully restored, and the town has made the official list of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It has largely been given over to tourism, but in a pleasant, low-key way.
Well its a good thing this town is pretty because Ruth just tested positive for covid . We are staying here for a few days.
Hoopoe! Nice! I have a hoopoe story. Here it is: Botswana, 1999. Back at camp at 7 PM, I enjoyed a delicious hot shower in a teetering bathhouse, the Leaning Shower of Thebe, while Christiaan [our guide] made an edible supper in the dark of night, vegetable stew and rice with something he called “brown onion gravy”…. In the morning I described to Christiaan a bird I saw while splashing around in the WC. He said it was probably, from my description, a Scimitar-billed wood hoopoe, but for a moment I thought he said a “Ceramic-bowled wood poopoo.” Christiaan had a mild Afrikaans accent in English and a tendency to make hilarious malapropisms. [Oh, my. We laughed and laughed.] In a discourse on the geological history of Namibia, he said, “When the earth shifted on its axle, there was a lot of Teutonic movement.” [There were other examples of amusing and unintended wordplay, and I wish I had written more of them down.]
Good story, Gord is laughing.
I missed the COVID part! A speedy return to health, R! xo
So sorry to hear your trip is on hold while Ruth recovers from covid but it does look like a beautiful place to be. Feel better soon, Ruth. We’re sending good thoughts your way for a speedy recovery.