Author Archives: Stu

It was a good night sleep as we left the windows open to allow air movement, keeping the room nice and cool; also the sangre we had last night helped, as we celebrated our last night before Santiago. We left at dawn walking in the cool misty air. As it is Sunday, most of theContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 12 – Faramello to Santiago de Compostela”

After breakfast in Vilanova, I made my way to the harbour to watch the fishing boats come and go while I waited for the boat to Padrón. 9.15am I was cruising up the estuary and the Rio Ulla. The boat stopped to watch a fishing boat in action, pulling the catch from the shellfish farmsContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 11 – Vilanova to O Faramello”

The albergue stirred around 6am, so I joined in and geared up for the day. 30mins later I was back on the way. Yesterday was hills and forest, today was rivers and sea. For 13km the route follows the Rego da Armenteira and the Rio Umia. It was pitch black resulting in the use ofContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 10 – Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa”

It was stiflingly hot last night in the albergue and even packing my bag, had me sweating like I was climbing O Cebreiro on the Camino Frances! It was a relief to be out walking in the cool sea air, it was also overcast. Perfecto! We crossed the bridge in to Ponte Sampoio, which wasContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 9 – Arcade to Armenteira”

Two turigrinos had set their alarm for 5am then proceeded to make breakfast waking everyone up in the albergue. It had gone 6 and they were still chatting away and clinking cutlery. I decided to get packed and hit the Camino. I was out the door by 7 and dawn still hadn’t arrived. It remindedContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 8 – Mos to Arcade”

It was a very hot and uncomfortable night with little sleep. There was no breeze, so I pretty much melted into the mattress. After breakfast at the guesthouse, Jelonda said her goodbyes as she was going to take a short day, by 8.30 me and Daniel set off. The route goes through the old fortContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 7 – Valença to Mos”

I had another good night sleep with only three to the room. The wind direction had changed and pushed that smoke cloud in our direction, so this morning we smelt like a BBQ. Today is the last day in Portugal and it is meant to be the hardest on the route, with having to climbContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 6 – Labruja to Valença”

I had the best night sleep on the Camino so far. There were only 5 pilgrims in the dorm last night and we had the patio doors open so it was fresh cool air all night. Just before 7am fireworks were popping and there was singing; another day of festivities! In fact the music continuedContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 5 – Vitorino to Labruja”

It was a hot night and half the albergue emptied at 4.30am, disturbing everyone’s sleep. I was up at 6am and started to get ready for the day. By 7 me, Jelonda and Daniel hit the road. The air was cool, perfect as it was up hill for most of the morning. We stopped forContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 4 – Barcelos to Vitorino dos Piães”

I had dinner last night at a local restaurant with several pilgrims near to the albergue. A table of Swiss, Spanish, German, Welsh, Dutch and Canadian. The food was plenty and so was the wine! This morning I was back on the route by 8am. Having spoken to my new friends they were stopping atContinue reading “Camino Portugués Day 3 – Sao Pedro to Barcelos”