Day 32 - Friday, 23rd May, 2014 - 26.9 km
[Leaving the Albergue at Morgade]
Today I woke up in the early hours of the morning itching like hell and realised that I was being bitten. I turned on my iPhone torch and realised that my pillow was covered in all manner of creepy crawlies. I had finally succumbed to what most Caminoers fear - bedbugs. The interesting thing was that we had stayed in a private room that night and two night previous. I previously thought I had been bitten by mosquitoes, but those must have been bedbugs as well. It appears that they normally bite your arms, shoulders and face and can be sorted out by cleaning all your clothes and using some sort of anti itching creme. For the rest of the night I shoved my pillow up as far as it would go against the bed head and moved as far as I could down the bed to be away from the offending circus of activity.
It is interesting to note that we never had this problem at Albergues, which were always spotless, but in private rooms, where sheets and towels were provided.
[On the route to Portomarin]
[Portomarin Bridge]
[Portomarin Bridge]
[Portomarin old pedestrian bridge]
[Eila walking to Ligonde]
The next day was spent for me trying to find an Albergue with a washing machine that would put an end to any of the creatures that remained on my clothing. I then experimented with different kinds of treatment to deal with the itching caused by the bites. On our travels we went over the bridge into Portomarin and received extremely helpful advice from the pharmacist there.
The afternoon was spent walking the long upward climb out of Portomarin and we eventually found a Hostal in Ligonde. It was a new basic Hostal with washing machine and dryer. I was able to shower and wait in my towel and anorak afterwards until the whole contents of my pack had been cleaned. Michael even brought me a beer to have in the dormitory while I waited!
Buen Camino.
[Rupert (Waiting for my clothes to wash and dry) in the dormitory - Ligonde]
[Albergue Ligonde]
