THE PORTUGUESE WAY

Before entering Spain

Massive for fort w City inside

Our hotel to left

Design to keep Spanish out

A great look south of the 16 miles of coast line we covered on mostly no trail or road. 

A beautiful house he built. I still suffered from mosquito bites that nite from all the standing water features. Great view of the ocean from here!

Walking the camino is frought with challenges. Dave has been dealing with the 'plague', ticks, and blisters. I have been dealing with a tight hammy and just tiredness of walking. Dave's friend from today. 

There is an outstanding river walking path along the Minha.

Quiet beautiful town at the mouth of the Minho River.

My first glimpse of Spain. This peak sits in Galicia overlooking the River Minho. There are only boats to get you across the river, no bridge. Caminha is on the Portuguese side. From Caminha, Dave and I will walk to Valenca after taking 2 days in Caminha. My energy level has been sagging with all the walking.  

Came upon these goats freely grazing upon these grasses amongst ruins out on a point. The goats were oblivious to me.

Nice beach and surfing waves. Walked on the beach 

The weather has been terrific up the coast. Dave has been a champ walking, despite battling sickness and blisters. I have had a pretty good go of it covering 73miles over 6 days between Porto and Caminha (Spanish border). 

Really nice guy. He and his wife were teachers in high school for 30years. Taught philosophy. He bought this property at the top of a mountain overlooking the sea. Built a house 25years ago. He rents out rooms and the house to make money. Later bought the land above him and tools around making ponds and rock features. Very spiritual retreat area.

Lunch in Afife at "Sr. Bacalhau"  restaurant. Expensive but good. Of course, no Portuguese meal is complete without French Fries or chips. 

Dave and I spent the night in Afife up on top of this mountain. 

I had to take a photo of the pile of trash gathered. The beaches have been immaculate clean. Very impressed!

If you squint your eyes, ypu can see 3 wind turbines

From Viana do Castello, i noticed the number of wind turbines picked up a lot. I guess it is windy here

The "light blue line" is an actual route complete with a board walk etc. The " black line" is where they wish they had a route if they had enough money.

Ruben walked with us for the 16miles

Apparently there is an albergue there. You have to take a tram up there

Final push of our 16mile push. Beautiful city!

We saw this guy on the boardwalk.

Dave and I walked the 16miles on paths, barren beaches and through forrests. It was by far the longest day yet on the camino.  For me, it was the most beautiful adventure. We saw few other pilgrims. 

I decided to use the luggage transfer for the first time. My left hamstring has been bothering me. I needed a break. Especially as the walk was 16miles to Viana do Castello.

We are taking the coastal route "littoral" from Porto directly along the ocean up to the Spanish border to Caminha. Then we cut over along the border inland on the Portuguese side to Valenca. Then we head north into Spain to Pontevedra and up to Santiago.

Statue commemorating all the lives loss at sea. Note pilgrim behind it

An old replica of a Portuguese war ship

Ukrainian and local flags

Dave and I took are shoes off and tested out the ocean water. It was definitely chilly!

There is an active local fishing industry that we have seen north of Porto. Fresh fish is processed in these little villages we walk thru. Turbo, sardines and sea bass are caught

The coast line has been absolutely stunning. It reminds me of Carmel CA. 

The locals loved watching us pose with their art

Dave has his underwear placed strategically overhead