Today was unexpected. Before we started, I was really apprehensive about the walk. But the scenery was stunning and the distance seemed shorter than it really was. Before I knew it, we were half way there. I was coaxing my body on – “You’ve done such a good job so far – just hold out a little longer!” I set off a little earlier than the others and each time they were about to overtake me, they decided to have a cigarette break. I doubt they really wanted a break – I think they were being kind to me.
Photos – looking across the river, a yellow arrow pointing the way, a place to wash clothes (which can be found in many of the villages) and the Roman bridge we had to cross.
In the afternoon the others caught me up and we all walked together. The Camino followed a beautiful wooded stream for several kilometers.
The path through the woods by the stream – and the delightful fisherman we met who regaled us with stories of the area.
We reached Pontevedra and made our way through the suburbs to the old town. We found the hostel – only to find that it was full. We tried a second hostel – that was full also. I was beginning to feel nervous, when a man outside the hostel suggested we try a small hotel down the street. We did – and they had two rooms left!
After the usual collapsing on the bed, followed by showering and then hand washing our clothes and hanging them on the line, we set out to explore. Pontevedra turned out to be an unexpected jewel!
The top photo shows the square where we had coffee. The bottom photos show the view of the square from our bedroom window, the church tower (just out of sight at the far end of the square) and the bells at the top of the church tower.
In the evening we ate in this square and then wandered round the old town, beautifully lit at night.
Today was indeed unexpected! I was expecting a nightmare and instead it was a fairytale.
Fatijah's Camino Portugués 2016 