The Camino path to Santiago de Compostella has been an amazing experience. It has been great to see the countryside from the pathway with so much diversity……far more mountainous country than I imagined with lots of woodlands full of oak, chestnut and pine. There has been a surprising number of flowering plants for the end of summer, including things we [….]
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Today was a special celebration for everyone Catholic, Christian and non. After the breakfast Anton our guide showed us the most important sights of this historic city. We visited the palace Gelmirez as well as the cathedral and attended the Pilgrims Mass which is always quite emotional for those attending even religious or non religious as the Botafumero (incense burner) [….]
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We are walking 19 klm today along the Portuguese Way Up an incline, down through the pines along narrow lanes abundant with maize and vines. We walked 8kms and then stopped for a coffee, which was our first destination. We set off again without hesitation our feet get weary, our boots clamber on, we will conquer this walk with our determination. We arrive [….]
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Up bright and early after a fantastic dinner last night at Mauro restaurant on the Redondela waterfront. An incredible feast of seafood, shrimps, razor clams and sea bass cerviche. Only one person was able to finish the entrecot, brilliant. Fantastic atmosphere and service. The troops began stamping at Redondela and then sallied forth along the way on Day 6. [….]
Read MoreAnother crisp morning as we set off from our hotel. Delicious sunshine, friendly scarecrows and a dreaming white cat, as we pass by fields on the way to Mos. Autumn leaves falling beside the stream. First stop in Mos for a delicious coffee served with homemade cakes. We pass by a Roman milestone and amazing edible macrolipiota mushrooms. Hens and [….]
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We set off from our hotel in Tui at 8.30am with the sun only just peeping up over horizon. Through the streets of Tui we walked and it wasn’t long before we were in the beautiful countryside of Galicia. This region of Spain is a very wet region hence the beautiful lush trees and vegetation. The coolness and shade from [….]
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We left Ponte de Lima and drove to Rubiães, where we started day 3 of our Camino. On our hike we encountered a farmer herding sheep, we travelled through some wonderful villages and scenery, stopping at bars and cafes for much appreciated breaks. We arrived at the historic walled town of Valencia, which we all enjoyed, before crossing the border [….]
Read MoreAfter several days of sightseeing in Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto the natives were beginning to get restless. Finally we are on our way to walk from Balugaes in Portugal to to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Our bus departed Porto at 11am and we drove 1 hour to Balugaes. A quick stop to grab a bread roll and coffee and [….]
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Today we walked from Ponte de Lima to Ponte de Lima the hard way via Rubiaes. We all made it and I think we all felt finally like we were pilgrims on the Camino. Whether it was easy or hard work for you, bon caminho everyone!! According to Anton this 18.6km was the hardest part of the Portuguese Way and [….]
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After several days of sightseeing in Barcelona, Lisbon and Porto the natives were beginning to get restless. Finally we are on our way to walk from Balugaes in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Our bus departed Porto at 11am and we drove 1 hour to Balugaes. A quick stop to grab a bread roll and coffee and we [….]
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Our day in Barcelona began with another early start and tour to Montserrat’s Sanctuary which is a symbol of the Catalan culture. The Monastery was built in the 11th century and holds many important documents. The mountain is surrounded in natural beauty which is 50klms wide 10 klms long and 1360 mtrs high. We were blessed to see it at [….]
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We had so much fun on our first day in Barcelona. The weather cleared as we sat on top of our red bus enjoying the city sites. A quick bite to eat then to keep the natives happy we did a spot of retail therapy, a sweet fix of ice cream before heading to the Picasso Museum. Rather than taking [….]
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