Left albergue at 8am after coffee and toast. Walked downhill for two and a half hours dropping 500 metres. It was rather steep. Coffee at Triacastela, weather still cool but dry. We walked along the valley 9kms to Samos - 2 hours - not bad. As we got closer to Samos there was a gap in the hedge, and there was the monastery, what a sight. Sat there and appreciated the view, took a photo of Ian. Checked into the monastery albergue. Mixta paella for lunch. Tour of the monastery at 3pm, there are only 14 monks in residence. It is beautifully kept, took photo of the monks cell door. When you consider it has been here since the 9th century, still the largest monastery in Europe, we wonder what the future holds due to lack of monks. Attending Vespers the Abbott, frail, in his late 80's led the service with difficulty. Afterwards we had delicious soup with a couple we bumped into at the service.
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