In August 2022 I travelled my second Camino de Santiago via the Camino Portugués. A 160 mile pilgrimage from Portugal to Spain. Starting in Porto and finishing in Santiago de Compostela.
In 2021 I walked the Camino Frances, a journey that changed me and my approach to life. It had been the best experience of all my adventures. A year later and the Camino is calling me once again and the pilgrim life beckons. I booked a flight to Porto for 16th August, where I once again, donned my pack to walk to that special city, Santiago de Compostela.
I have put together a short video of my adventure that can be found here:
Forever a Pilgrim
The Camino Portugués
There was a veteran pilgrim I met on the Camino, who provided me with some great advice along the way. I had some really good and meaningful conversations with him; he even gave me advice on how to cope with life post pilgrimage. There was one thing he said to me that stuck: “When you return home, the Camino will fade and your life will move on”. I think there is some truth to this,…
Portugués Kit List
Only a few days to go before I take my first steps on the Camino Portugués. I thought I would share my kit list. Clothing 3x Base Layer T-shirts (I’ve gone for different colours this time so it doesn’t look like I haven’t changed – but now I suspect you will be looking out for how often I do!)Mid Layer Zipped FleeceButtoned Walking Shirt (for the evenings)Down Jacket (new addition since I had to buy…
Porto to Lavra
It is good to be back on the Camino. I arrived at Porto Cathedral at 9am to collect my credential and have a look around inside. There was a small queue of pilgrims that quickly moved. I took my time, to take in the artwork, decorated painted walls, the stone masonry and the elaborate alters. I climbed the tower to get views of the city. As I exited I met a pilgrim called James from…
Lavra to Sao Pedro de Rates
By 8am we left Lavra and rejoined the board walk along the coast. Blue skies and the sea breeze was still there, making it again pleasant walking. The Camino was quiet this morning, it wasn’t until we stopped for breakfast, 4km in before we saw any pilgrims. We had left the industrial outskirts now of Porto swapping them for seaside villages. We made great progress and by 11am we covered 14km to arrive in Vila…
Sao Pedro to Barcelos
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 at Barcelos, so I made that my target. I set off on my own in the cool morning air calling into…
Barcelos to Vitorino dos Piães
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 for breakfast at a little village that had a day of festivities. Fireworks were being set off at 8am! If you…
Vitorino to Labruja
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 continued throughout the valley all the way to Ponte de Lima. The route today was much better, the best so far.…
Labruja to Valença
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 climb over a mountain and into the adjacent valley. As soon as the sun peaked into the valley, I could tell…
Valença to Mos
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 fort that guards the border, then over a bridge into Spain. After taking photos and experiencing some weird time paradox, by…
Mos to Arcade
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 reminded me of the predawn starts on the Frances route last year. It felt good to be walking in the cool…
Arcade to Armenteira
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 was a quaint little village. From there we joined a forest track that took us up and over to a neighbouring…
Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa
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 of my head torch. The first 2km was tricky as the path was uneven with boulders and tree roots. But that…
Vilanova to O Faramello
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 farms that dotted the waters. Soon we reached the stone crosses that show the route into Padrón. There are three next…
Faramello to Santiago de Compostela
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 the cafe’s were closed, so it was about an hour into the walk before we had breakfast. The route was undulating…
Relaxing in Santiago
I rolled out of bed around 8, enjoying the extra sleep. I went for some breakfast then had a walk around while it was quiet. I went to visit Santiago’s tomb and the cathedral. For lunch I met up with my Camino friends and said goodbye to Jelonda, as she would be heading home. In the evening I went on a walking tour around the city. It started in the main square outside the cathedral.…
Full Circle
I still have a week left of my leave and most of my Camino friends have either left or due to leave today. I had the option to go to Fisterra or fly back. However checking the flights they were either too expensive or too early for me to get the bus back from Fisterra, should I continue walking. I went for option ‘C’. I hopped on the bus with Alfredo and Hailey to Porto!…
Out and About in Porto
First thing I did once checked into Porto was do a bit of clothes shopping. If I’m spending a few days in civilisation, I don’t want to look and smell like a pilgrim! It was a late one Tuesday as Hailey flew out Wednesday afternoon, thus we celebrated her last night of her Camino adventure. Wednesday morning we went on a walking tour around Porto. We visited the main points of interest and admired the…
Camino Portugués Brucy Bonus
I have finally found some time since returning from my second Camino to make my customary video of the trip. It has been a bit hectic for me since arriving home; my feet were only on British soil for a week, before I was boarding a plane to Amsterdam for a training in course; I had only enough spare time to do my washing! The montage is below, and I hope you enjoy!
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