Mondonedo, Galicia

 Mondonedo, Galicia 

It had rained during the night and it was still raining in the morning. I was awake early and listened the rain beating down on the rooftops. 

Jorge and Lesley were stayig at the same place, Casa Gloria and we had breakfast together. Jorge's knee was getting better but it was a 28 kilometre walk to reach his next hotel, so he was going to take a bus most the the way and walk the last few kilometres. For Lesley and I, we only had eight kilometres to walk to Mondonedo. She was in no rush and would choose a time to depart when the weather looked a little brighter. 

It was still raining after breakfast but I imagined it to have eased off a bit. I was ready to go and had nothing else to do such as read a book, so I set off.  I hadn't got a kilometre out of town before I had to stop to put my waterproofs on as the rain had intensified. 

I don't like wearing waterproofs as although it keeps the rain off, they don't allow air to circulate so I get hot, and with the exertion ofwalking, I sweat and still get wet. To add to the misery, the cloud base was low with mist in the trees and clouds hiding any views ofthe countryside. It was a matter of keeping you head down, slogging up innumerable steep slopes and avoiding the worst of the puddles and mud. 

I reached the plaza in front of the cathedral in Mondonedo. It is a 13th century cathedral with a five metre wide rose window in the west facade. The frescos on the walls are some of the oldest in Galicia and the walnut choir stalls are Gothic masterpieces. 

Although the cathedral is only 13th century, Bronze Age remains have been found in the area and busts of both Marcus Aurelius and Hadrian have been found bearing witness to the Roman occupation of the area.  

Another interesting building...

...and whilst I was walking the wet streets of Mondenedo I came across another local resident, a black and yellow salamander.