AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY - 1ST STAGE - FROM TUI TO PORRIÑO

Many years ago I read two books written by Paulo Coelho one titled The Pilgrimage and the other named The Alchemist. Since then, the idea of walking along the trails to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) (St. James Walk, in English) has never left my mind. This year, suddenly I made the decision. Soon the chance might vanish and I would be forever thinking what it might have been... Something like 'now or never'. 

I was born to Roman Catholic parents, yet I'm not a religious person. However, that's not what the St. James Walk - hereinafter called Camino - is about. The Camino is about perseverance, nature, beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, etc.

I travelled by train from Oporto to  the Spanish city of Tui where I arrived in time to wander through its streets and go to the Cathedral and get my walker's passport. This is a document that identifies you as a walker and provides proof that you have walked the required distance (108 kilometers / 67.1 miles, at least) to gain your compostela (the certificate that testifies that you have completed the Camino de Santiago). On a deeply personal note, it provides a wonderful record of the places that you stayed, and makes for a beautiful reminder of a special journey. 

The above document must contain two stamps a day, at least. They are produced at stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.

 After a short walk in the city centre, I went to bed early as the trails would be waiting for my feet at any time of the following day.

It had rained during the night and unsteady weather conditions gave me concern. Walking for many hours under fine rain wouldn't be desirable at all. 

Fortunately, with the passing of the hours, the sky cleared up... The dark clouds didn't like my company...

The scallop shell has long been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. You see it on posts and signs the Camino in order to guide walkers along the way. If you don't see the shell, you will see a yellow arrow, instead. You are not likely to get lost... I always found the right direction, without difficulty. As many of you already know, I like travelling on my own, never joining groups or organized tours. All I had this time was an arrangement with a Spanish company that transferred my luggage stage to stage, from hotel to hotel previously booked. My backbone would complain if I hadn't arranged it before. On the whole way, I didn't carry my best camera as this is much heavier than my smaller one. This fact along with a certain time limit - I didn't want to walk under heavy sunshine - didn't enable me to spend enough time to take a photo... Of course, I regret to a certain extent but priority to my comfort.

I never walked fast as I wanted to see as much as possible, even if I happened to come across an easily unnoticed creature...

The commonly called Portuguese way gently winds its way northwards, along ancient tracks and paths run through woodlands, farmlands, villages, towns and historic cities. Paths that cross courses of water flowing over bridges - some of Roman origin - of unmistakable medieval origin. 
On the first day, the trails were more or less flat and not requiring a hard effort as it happened on the following days.
The video clip below will exceed my words in giving you a more accurate image of what I experienced on the first day. Hope you enjoy following me... 
Note:  the first image of a dish shows you octopus, a typical dish in that Spanish area, while the last image of food pictures chicken fillets.

TO BE CONTINUED...

~~ Thanks for joining me ~~

~~ Have  a nice weekend --