Portuguese camino

 Quiet night in Padron. We were up late having too much fun last night, with an awesome group of people. Staying at Chef Rivera tonight,  a nice centrally located place in Padron. The laundromat  next door made me very happy.  I tried to have Padron peppers at a lovely restaurant, but not in season? Ended up with an awesome cheese board that made up for it. Tomorrow is the day we walk into Santiago. I’m sad that it’s over as are most people I’ve met the past few days. Peter seems glad that the walking is done though. We are all on our own Caminos, and though he doesn’t seem to  have loved this experience as much  as many, I’m so glad he came along to try. It will be my second time in Santiago- I can hardly wait!

 Happy birthday 🎊🎈🎂 Jessica Siobhan O’Gorman!!! Have a fab 20th! Love you very much kid!!! Mom and Dad

 Sunday in Pontevedra. What a lovely town! We meandered in on the Alternative river route which adds a couple of km but it’s worth it. Found lots of great tapas places with a few other hungry people, Took a wrong turn somewhere but using Camino Ninja app which got us back on track. Things are very well marked though. Great day!

 We are in Redondela—Under 100km to Santiago. I had a quick look at John Brierley’s take on the walk from Porrino to Redondela before setting out this morning. Didn’t like the sound of ‘challenging stage’ and ‘steep up and down’- so Mavis the walking stick had an encore appearance. However, no loose stones —really, good surfaces just STEEP. Nice walk through forests, towns and a bit of side of the road. Stopped for a coffee in Mos and met a few familiar faces. The Camino gift shop here can meet all your needs from fridge magnets to all kinds of Peregrino gear. They have a stamp. Collecting 2 stamps a day will get you that hard-earned Compostela at the end now.  Then there was a little incident.  Shoved change from the coffee into my zipper pocket in front of pants, and we headed out. A short time later something felt strange in my leg, so gave it a shake. Out fell 5 euros. Ugh. I realized these were not the pants with zipper pocket, they were the zip offs! Money had gone ...

 Poor Porrino. This town seems to get a bad rap, but we had a perfectly lovely night walking up and down the little pedestrian street full of cafes. Staying at Hotel Parque right on a little square. It’s not fabulous but absolutely fine for a night. Cute restaurant nearby that does  substantial meals and has a stamp. Also, good fruit shop that has delicious chocolate cake and juicy strawberries. We took a left at the two dueling Camino markers  on the way in and followed the complimentario route into town. It was a wise choice I think.  Lots of trees and no crazy highway walking. So, it was a fairly easy day. On the way out of Tui this morning,my husband spotted the Tuitrans office. Uh oh. So from tomorrow we’ll ship the bags ahead a few days. He is very happy. I’m happy that I haven ‘t had one blister on this Camino. I bought my shoes a size larger and have socks with a liner sewed in. Don’t know if this is why but absolutely no foot problems. Back to the strawberri...

Today was a nice sunny day, but it’s clouding over. Rain tomorrow, so guess it’s not staying mainly on the plain in Spain. There was lots more infrastructure today. In fact. By 1030 we had already stopped for a 2 coffees and fresh orange juice at 3 little cafes. Then, there was the lunch stop in Valenca, and we walked across bridge into Spain. So nice to be back.  To celebrate we are staying in the Paradore. It’s rather nice,  with thick stone walls and fluffy towels. However, dinner not  available here till 8 pm so we’ll walk into town before I think.  Lots more uphill, but I retired Mavis. She was a bit of a stick in the mud. 😀 Kept  a couple of Older German guys we’ve seen for a few days, but that’s it for pilgrims. There were a few miles of odd round rocks on paths, it seemed like someone had just dumped them off the back of their truck. We were not impressed, Peter seems to have vanished to the hotel bar, or walked back to a strange Irish  bar we pass...

 Today was the day Mavis made her appearance. That is the name of my walking stick purchased for 7 euros in Porto. I haven’t needed her help until today. Glad I brought her along though, she’s been waiting in my backpack 🎒 for her big break- to make sure I don’t get any big break. It’s a bit of an uphill slog part of the way from Ponte de Lima to Rubeais. Rocks were wet and slippery so glad for the extra balance. Had a picnic lunch at the top, and not many places to stop the entire day.  We shipped our bags ahead , and we’re glad that we did. It would have been pretty tough today.  Arrived at a pre booked hotel, but wished we were not staying here. In the muffle of nowhere, there is some painting happening in the main building, so we have been given separate rooms out back. I told Peter the party 🎉 is in his room at 6. He has the tv. My bathroom is nicer however. The owner told us she’d drive us to her friends restaurant at 630. That should be interesting. Tomorrow we w...