Another long day! Thirty kilometers back to back, 18 miles about each day. While that might not seem like a lot unless you’ve walked these rock, stone, mosaic paths you can’t really describe what it’s like to walk them.
This Camino doesn’t compare to the elevations that we’ve done on previous hikes, but the rocks make it very difficult. This morning I had a hissy fit! My first and possibly only Camino hissy fit. We got up and walked over the bridge to a pretty active busy city. We knew today would rain, we knew today would be long, and we knew there was little opportunity for coffee for at least an hour and all that combined might have presented a perfect storm. Plus the rock path everywhere!!!!!
I forgot to mention the pictures I shared yesterday, but everyday I question,”who laid these rocks?”...
Well yesterday, we saw them doing just that. Sweet, jolly nice guys wishing us a “Bon Camino”, it was hard to be mad at them... they proudly told me that that the bricks wer laid 300 for years!!!!!
So crossing the bridge was almost a graffiti like display of yellow arrows, yellow arrows everywhere but once past the public auberge there were none. Assuming there would be another opportunity for coffee and wanting to find trail I passed what appeared to be the only coffee stop.
A man, upon asking pointed to a road that he claimed was Camino, but there were no arrows and we had to cross a very busy street. For about ten minutes, I saw nothing to state we were on the Camino. For about ten minutes I was cursing under my breath (and maybe not so under my breath) at how miserable I was today.
Then there was a half arrow pointing to the direction of a church and a pilgrim!!!! A pilgrim putting sunscreen on getting ready to feel the sun that was about to possibly present itself. It ends up he is from Porto. We actually saw him walk in front of our bungalow this morning but didn’t realize it was him. Poor fella when he asked how we were I was too honest! He too said he had a frustration with the arrows this morning and bless his heart offered to backtrack to get me coffee. His name is Joao and has a shepherd's heart! Sweet soul who walked with us until we found a small cafe slightly off trail. We enjoyed coffee together and said our goodbyes. We would walk another two hours beyond his stage tonight so not certain we will see him again. I think he ends his walk tomorrow. Anyway, we are thankful for this trail angel who helped me get coffee and listened to my frustrations...
I got directions from the cafe on how to get on a coastal path. In ten minutes, we all exhaled thankful to be on a path near the water and smooth boardwalk and dirt for at least some of the duration. We had one more stop for drinks of fresh squeezed orange juice at a beautiful beach side restaurant. I secured another campsite bungalow for tonight. It had a wonderful staff who told us to take our time when I called thinking we’d arrive late. They stayed with us to make sure everything in the bungalow worked and even made sure we had their after hours number if we had problems. A wonderful staff and bungalow at Orbitur Caminha!
Tonight is our last night in Portugal!
Spain is across the water and we’ll catch a small boat over in the morning!
Jordi joins us Wednesday!!!!!
We thought Annie was going to join us for two weeks. In 2016, Annie and Henri walked into St Jean Pied de Port with us where we built an arch and walked through so triumphantly. Annie was hoping we’d be up in Santiago as previously planned, so unfortunately our change in plans changed that. Maybe we’ll be together in some way as she is going to venture out on some Camino path! So hope we meet up!!!!
Lynda(le), if you’re reading this I don’t get your contact info when you comment to the blog so have been unable to connect! I know you and hubby are departing from Porto this weekend! There is a chance we can meet up as girls and I plan to keep hiking after Santiago arrival. So we might be in the area when you arrive!!!
It appears I don’t see all comments, and those I do I don’t get a way to respond as it doesn’t share email addresses.
Looking forward to seeing old friends!
Hugs!
And a last good night from Portugal until about four weeks from now! We’ll be back then!!!
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