Camino de Santiago - Day 2

It's 9.30 a.m. and we set off from the train station at Monforte de Lemos on the coach to visit the Ribeira Sacra wine region.

However, we can only go so far in the coach as the road gets too narrow...

...so we go on the mini Al Andalus train...

...along the little road...

...that runs along the top of the valley...

...of the Rio Sil which later joins the Rio Miño and forms the border between Spain and Portugal.

These grapes are tended by hand, it is impossible to get machinery to the vineyards...

...which are on the sunny side of the steep canyon and therefore in a micro-climate.

The clouds disperse and we see the sun.

We spend quite a while on the mini-train and end up at the bodega Regina Viarum...

...which produces some exquisite wines from this region.

Some of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for several months...

...in order to allow it to develop it's intense flavour.

And so to the tasting of the end product - we had to buy a bottle as we left, it was so good!

This is their logo which is on their wine but you are not likely to see it in a supermarket either in or outside of Spain as it is pretty exclusive stuff.

A most scenic and enjoyable area for a walk.

We were then driven in a minibus and a people carrier to the Monasterio Santo Estevo...

...which is one of the most beautiful Paradores in Spain.

This Parador has it all: wonderful architecture in superb surroundings.

Those monks certainly knew how to live.

The church, which is next door to the Parador, is not a part of the Parador itself...

 ...but is actually used by the people in the region as their place of worship...

...and this area is their cemetery.

The monastery itself is thought to have originated in the 6th/7th centuries...

It has relics of the original altar depicting Christ and the 12 disciples...

...as well as some modern colourful stained glass.

Considering the extremes of weather throughout the year in this area the 12th century building is doing well.

Lunch in the Parador consisted of balls of salmon stuffed with cheese and toast with cheese, peppers and anchovies for starters...

...scallops,...

...beef stewed in red wine with potato and parmesan...

...followed by rice pudding, almost as good as my mother used to make!

What could be better in the afternoon than a catamaran trip along the Rio Sil which had been dammed to turn it into a reservoir...

...on the Ruta de los Catarmaranes...

 ...where we could see the beautiful canyon of the Rio Sil...

...in all it's glory...

...close at hand.

And then back to the train, Al Andalus, and on to Ourense.