Galicia

Since we made the steep climb to O'Cebreiro we have been in Galicia. Bordered by Spain and Portugal and with the capital at Santiago de Compostela the region has an economy focused on fishing and agriculture, which is clear from the numbers of cows and tractors we have had to dodge in the tiny villages we walk through as well as the ever present smell of livestock farming.

According to the Codex it is:

'....well-wooded, with rivers, meadows, and orchards, and the deepest clearest springs, but with few towns, farmsteads or wheat fields.' and '...'..the Galicians are more like.. French people than other Spanish savages, but nevertheless they can be hot-tempered and litigious.'

It seems to sum up the landscape although from what I have seen the locals are friendly enough. However, I am told that, because Galicia was never subdued by the Moors, you can offend a Galician by incorrectly stating that the region fell under Islamic rule.

With over 1000 miles of coastline, fish and shellfish are important to the Galician cuisine with octopus being popular. We tried some in a 'pulperia' or octopus restaurant yesterday: traditionally cooked in a copper pot and served on a wooden plate, cut into small pieces and laced with olive oil, sea salt and Spanish paprika. Delicious!