En camino!

I am in a lovely liittle village near Vigo enjoying a lay day after a hot and unintended 22 kms yesterday! Having originally planned to start the walk on October 1, this is in fact my 4th day on the road, and the miles were beginning to count.  So far I have mostly stayed in public hostels run for pilgrims by voluntary bodies, but yesterday a new-found friend booked me into a posh private place in Porrino, and for the extra 4 euro we had sheets and pillowcases and relative privacy which was delightful.  Tonight though I am back with the plebs in this lovely place only 5.6 kms walk, with time to catch up on my washing and recover my strength.

There is a big hill to be tackled in the morning which will be in the cool before the 28 degrees expected (as today) so I feel well up to it:  last night I didnt arrive til 8.30 pm which is not ideal.

My walk began in Ponte de Lima and I had a relatively easy day to Rubiaes as a kindly local wine grower/taxi driver transported me over the mountain pass which would have been impossible for my first outing.  Sunday was an easy 15km to the border town of Valenca with its fortified old town overlooking the river, and then across the bridge into Tui in Galiciafor a change of hour and long long hike through gorgeous countryside.

Below some borrowed pics which I hope will transport.   Valenca on the top, Tui Cathedral opposite which we had breakfast yesterday, and my abode in the hills near Vigo









So far the camino has been all I had hoped for: glorious countryside, great weather and a wide range of people to befriend and with whom to share experiences.  The spirit of cooperation is very strong and there are many instances of generosity.  Because of the long day yesterday I didnt think about my cash situation, but discoverd on arriving here that I barely had enough to cover the hostel, and there is no ATM for miles! However, I have been able to run up a tab at the excellent taperia across the road and the owner and staff have become new friends!  I will dine there tonight on pimientos de padron and chipirrones, two of my favourite Galician specialities.

I have taken masses of photos but sadly lack the techincal know-how to transfer them from my phone to this municipal computer which allows me ease of typing, but we will have to wait until a techie comes to hand to get over that hurdle!

Tomorrow will probably be a simple 15 km or I could push an extra little bit and be beside the sea.  We wait and see!  Buen camino to one and all, and many thanks for the continuing donations

Hasta la proxima!