Betanzos to Casa Julia (Vilacoba)

Wednesday 11th

We walked from Betanzos to Casa Julia at Vilacoba. It was 19.6kms to the Sanctuario de Pelayo at the bus stop just below the Casa Julia, which was closed.
We had left Betanzos with food and water for the day as advised in the guide, and it was definitely needed. It was very warm and humid. We had drunk 3lts of water between us by the time we reached Vilacoba, plus sucking oranges.
We ate an early lunch outside the church of San Esteban in Cos, where we talked to a lovely Spanish couple who kindly signed our credenciales as we couldn't see anyone around for a sello.
Then we followed the Camino along forest paths, stopping at the bridge at Presedo for a snack (croissants, apples and another orange.
We passed the 54.9km mojon (most have lost their plates), then along tracks again reaching the Casa Julia at 3.30. We phoned Méson Novo as arranged and sat in the shade at the bus stop beyond the Casa Julia. Not long to wait and we were soon shown our room and having drinks and then a siesta.
The folk at Meson Novo are wonderful and returned us to the bus stop, plus packs and supplies, to continue walking next day.

Later along the route we met folk who said that it is possible to sleep in the Centro Social in Cos, or to go to the Bar Zapatero in Leiro and ask for the key to the Colegio where there are 4 beds.

We stopped at San Esteban de Cos and sat on the church wall to eat our very early lunch (11.30am)

The 'Hottentot figs' made a splash of colour along the path

The one really muddy patch we passed had a good stepping stone and then dry path again beyond

The wide grassy track turned the corner and became very narrow.