It was a hot day 32ºC (90º F). I loaded up with extra water because the temperature was going to soar up and there might not be much in the way of facilities between.
I crossed the bridge of Pontevedra and headed north, as the arrows indicated..
I spent a few kilometres following the train line which is being upgraded to a high speed train line, and then walked through a forest.
It's customary on the Way of St. James, to greet fellow pilgrims/walkers with a "hola" or a "buen camino". I liked that "Hola," I called back, as cheerily as I could.
The sun was hot when I left the cafe in the afternoon, and I went on to another hamlet skipping a bar this time. I did about 4 kilometres mostly in full sun, as there was no shade until I reached the road where I stopped at a little cafe with a few other pilgrims/walkers resting as well. I had another cold drink...
... and then hit the road again walking through grape-vines.
The hospitality offered by the people is proverbial.
One of the hallmarks of the Way is the warm reception given to the pilgrim/walker. This practice was started in the Middle Ages by the monks and clergymen serving the hospitals founded by the monarchs and nobility. This welcoming lay tradition is kept alive today by the inhabitants of the towns scattered along the Way. All of the inhabitants of the area around the Portuguese Way feel a special devotion to Saint James and offer encouragement to those travelling to Compostela on the old paths that make up this Way.
Nevertheless, I quickly covered the last kilometres,but I spent about a half an hour wandering around Caldas dos Reis, a charming spa and health resort, looking for the hotel.
If you still feel with courage to go ahead with the trekking, let's do it by giving a look at the images of the day that started early and ended not very late in the evening... Thanks for joining me for many hours...
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Well I've just done your walk at 2:00 am. I'm bleary eyed. I need to make more tea. I bet you sleep like hell after walking all day in that heat.
ReplyDeleteHi Dai! Thanks for doing my walk even if you did it at night... I wonder how it was like...
DeleteThat was a nice long walk with lots to see. I bet you were tired out and looking at all of that lovely water I would have been tempted to jump in along the way. I find I don't like the heat like I used to. Don't much like the cold either. lol.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well and taking care of yourself my friend. Lovely to see you.
Hello Shayna! Getting tired of something boring is very different from getting it from doing something you like, isn't it? Thanks for your concern about my physical condition...
DeleteIt is very hot those days in our city and I saw from the pictures that your walk was in full sun...even though very lovely city at the end...
ReplyDeleteHi Viera! I don't forget the high temperatures in your city when I was there. Yesterday on TV, I saw images of free distribution of bottles of water, in Rome, as the temperature was uncommonly high. The same had happened in your lovely city during my stay at yours'... I never got tired of walking but it happened so as a result of doing it in full sun and the arid landscape sometimes...
Deleteeven though I thought that the temperature in your country is much more warmer than in my country... Actually today we have such hot day as those days...
DeleteThanks for the lovely morning walk dear Belita .
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Fatos....
DeleteI managed to catch up to you again, was busy yesterday so totally lost out on your 3rd stage, had a busy weekend too. It seems as if this stage was very hot, I was concerned you might be overdoing it, but of course you are back home, safe and sound, so no worries. The beauty of the Mediterrian countries always astound me, the colours are so very vivid on all the buildings, the grass seems greener than elsewhere and the light is so special. Thank you for sharing with us once again. I am enjoying this walk very much Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHi Marianne! It's always rewarding to read comments like yours. Many thanks!
DeleteAnother enjoyable section of your walk, despite the heat of the day. Again it was mainly lovely verdant countryside, with traditional buildings, except for the towns at the start and end of the section. The 'scarecrows' in that field didn't look very scary!! LOL. I see you had a little more opportunity to do some of your famous 'people' shots this time.
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch! As I saw those scarecrows I had the same thought. They didn't show any creativity as they were made of uninteresting items, not eye-catching either... Something that was strange to me was the fact that so far I didn't see many animals, I don't mean cats or dogs, but cattle, making me withdraw the conclusion that region was basically devoted to farming not using animals or mechanization but human labour, basically...
DeleteI love your words, "I am not blinded by the past or motivated by the future. So, I focussed on the present, because that was where I was destined to live." What incredible peace. A great journey. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHi Benni! Both that thought and feeling were the true essence of those moments....
DeleteHaving you by my side always makes me feel comfortable.... Thanks!
You have made a interesting journey and interesting stop over all places I really enjoyed looking through your pictures which has remind my past and my dad used to make a fake man near to our field pretending a man against to the Monkey LOL. Kumar
ReplyDeleteHi Kumar! What a surprise having you visiting my post and drop nice words.... I believe the scarecrows made by your dad were much scarier than the ones pictured on here which at my eyes didn't scare the most fearful bird.... Many thanks, indeed!
DeleteYou got an eye to capture those wonderful spots during your path!
ReplyDeleteHi Edoardo! I'm sure if instead of me, you had walked along there you would have captured many others beautiful, as well... Thanks!
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