Portuguese Camino June 2013

Left the awful hotel of Mosteiro at O Pino and slowly walked on. All alone, one person passed me. As I walked into Padron I saw tents where they either sold or auctioned or ate pulpo (octopus). Then saw a long building which was the market. Wandered through and bought cake. I then saw kids from Assisi (Italy) – they had taken a taxi as one of the girls had a bad foot. Joined Alexander and family for rolls. Then I walked on to Teo. They got to the albergue just as I arrived.

Then had a shower and fixed the flooded bathroom. Met Petra in the shower, then we went to a bar for food. Two Cavalier King Charles spaniels arrived with their owner. Met my first snorer in an albergue but no worse than Gizmo.

In the albergue they pushed us in – never been so close to other people. All pilgrims must put their sleeping bags on their beds to book it, or else they have no claim to it. Petra had had trouble at the albergue and had moved to another one.

Had dinner with Alexander and his family from Assisi.

Lunch in Padron

Clean river in Padron

Sore foot

Famous poetess’ statue

THE Padron

Lunch time snack with Petra after arrival in Teo. See the pimentos from Padron.

I used to have this breed. Look so good.

Dinner with lovely Italian father, his 2 daughters and friends

The hostel at Teo

Believe I cried during the night from pain.

Left the albergue with a bottle of water and an orange (from the bar yesterday). Missed the bar where I could have had breakfast – only found food on Caldas de Rais. Passed one couple walking and only one person passed me. Alone.

Walked through forests, over streams, and past farms. Old men and women on farms worked very hard.

Feeling so strong in body. Decided to walk extra 90kms to the end of the world at Finisterre. Have enough time as I am ahead of schedule.

Not many places to sleep on this section so decided to stop at O Pino instead of pushing through to Padron which would have made it 29kms for the day, much too much. Went to the Mosteiro hotel with 16 rooms. Think I am the only guest. They do not have a functioning bar or restaurant!

Anyhow the town of Caldas de Rais with its hot springs is lovely but too busy. Had to compete at the springs with a group of schoolchildren. Put my feet in the hot water – lovely. Stopped at a bar for the first food of the day – 2 coffees and a roll. Then I powered off.

This route seems much more demanding physically and mentally than the French route. I would not recommend it for novice pilgrims unless one is on a tour with portered bags and hotels every night.

Albergue where I spent the night