Into the light Pilgrims emerge.
#camino #caminodesantiago #peregrino #pilgrims #light
North of Porriño, Spain.
May 31, 2016
It POURED last night and continued this morning so once again only our waterproof amigos headed out to walk to Tui, Spain.
We were paid huge amounts of money to go ahead and secure a hotel with heaters and a bathtub for Roxanne.
Adios Portugal – Hola España.
Our rock stars walked 13.5 miles through the mud and around lots of puddles. The clouds parted and they showed up dry!
Bill made it to 70 today! He said we were either going to have a celebration of life or a parrrtay! He is the first male in his family in generations to live this long. Something that can’t be topped since he is the last male Shaw.
Bill, feeling more alive than ever stepped out in front of all us. We struggled to keep up!
It was supposed to rain today but the skies parted and stayed clear as we walked through acres upon acres of vineyards and rose bushes galore! 27,279 steps and 11.55 miles later we rolled into Ponte de Lima – the oldest in Portugal.
Bill got to choose where we sleep tonight and it’s the Municipal Albergue. He wanted Chappy to have a real taste of Camino living. Chappy couldn’t be happier – he gets to sleep with 9 women at the same time.Tomorrow 1 inch of rain is predicted – 100% – all day! On a good day the path is muddy and the steepest climb of the whole Camino…. Here’s hoping for the best.
It poured and poured for hours. Our rain gear wasn’t a match – we were soaked to the bone.
The good news – today was the most beautiful of the Camino so far. Rolling hills with old stone buildings, rich dark brown tilled farmland, freshly sprouted corn rows and heavy with the smell of manure.
Since we managed to stay on the correct Camino today – we finally met up with other Pilgrims. All die hards. The walk continues in rain or shine.
The sun starting peaking out just about an hour or two before we got to our final destination of Barcelos. Our clothes dried but the shoes are still sloppy.
43,103 steps and 18.47 miles.
Another foggy start but the sun broke through much earlier today. We peeled off the layers earlier than usual. The sun makes our packs feel heavier.
We climbed straight uphill out of Agueda into a commercial area – our first experience with traffic lights – they cause congestion – roundabouts keep the traffic moving.
The yin and yang of walking….. ugly industrial areas to beautiful abandoned mansions.
Noisy construction zones to peaceful fishing on a Roman bridge.
Pavement to acres and acres of eucalyptus trees with trucks harvesting the same.
***In Portugal it is imperative to own a barking dog.
***In Portugal out of the cities it’s essential to own a tractor to work the fields and to go to town for dinner and shopping.
In Portugal Cala lilies grow wild
and some decorators have a quirky sense of repurposing.
22,634 steps and 10.15 miles into Albergaria-a-Velha.