LP and VQT

 Posted by VQT Lots to catch up on.  Monastery we stayed at last night was interesting.  Huge.  Kinda had a Jack Nicholson The Shining feel to it.  There were lots of people cleaning and coming and going through doors but not many guests around.  Furnishings and ambiance were a 70s look.  Room was acceptable. Unfortunately there was a group of young adults who hollered and laughed till 1:30 am.  No one from the Monastery did anything about shutting them down.   Photo: Sealed up archway.  Makes me wonder what’s behind it?    Photo: They called this a grainery.  From other Camino trips I’ve always through they were called corn cribs. This one is unique due to its size.  Photo: Mosaics.  Monastery had giant mosaics.   Photo: Our bedroom window with my walking shorts and t shirt hanging out to dry.  

Photo (by VQT) - modern mosaic (tiny pieces of marble) of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela   Posted by LP - we spend the night in a very interesting location (shame the beds were so uncomfortable!) Photo - I sat in the shade under this arbor of grapes  Photo - VQT in the 16th century cloister Photo - magnificent green door in the old monastery  Photo - beautiful ceilings in the cloister  Photo - (not doing justice to) looking out from the cloister to the ornate church  Photo - mosaic of chickens….part of a huge and wonderful mosaic illustrating the Camino - some of you may remember my delight at the chickens in the cathedral in Santo Domingo de la Calzada on the Camino Francais 🐓💚

Posted by LP - photos by VQT Photo - dark green door to business Photo - very tatty double green doors with graffiti  Photo - well maintained dark green double doors  Photo - green front door  My reduced mobility has limited the number of green doors I have seen on this Camino (our long time supporters know what great importance these are to me), but not to worry, VQT has kept up the tradition and pleased me with a variety 💚

 Posted by VQT Headed out of Pontevedra with “the hoards”.  Learned later that it’s the last week of summer break for college kids.  I think the majority decided to walk the Portuguese Way.  So glad we had decided to walk the Spiritual Way variant - at the split the majority of “ the hoard” stayed on the Camino path.   It was a rural peaceful walk to the Monasterio de Poio   Photo: Pamphlet showing the Spiritual Way.  Photo: Road sign at the trail split.   Met a woman later that missed this sign and walked about 30 minutes too far on the Camino path and had to turn around.  Photo: Sign post of the Spiritual Way.  Photo: Spiritual Way directional signs.   Photo: Wooded pathway through ferns.  Photo: A small church I passed.  

 Posted by VQT Beautiful weather.  Today I take the Spiritual Route.  We are staying at Hospederia Monasterio de Poio.  Will post information on route and accommodations later today    Photo: Concrete dog on wall.   Photo: a Couple walking the Camino with their 3 dogs.  

 Posted by VQT The walk to Ponteverda was mainly on forest paths.  It was shady and cool.  Vigo which we were in a few days ago is the starting point for many on the Portuguese Way - it’s the shortest distance you can walk to get a Compostela in Santiago.  So there are a lot more people walking.  The increase in people brings an increase in roadside vendors - trinkets and food    Photo: Ponteverda city sign.   Photo: shady trail.   Photo: Cathedral in Ponteverda.  Photo: old bridge I walked across.   Walking into the city I saw so many, mainly young, walkers sitting on the curb and up a long driveway. I stopped and asked a young woman what they were waiting for.  She told me, “a bed in the Albergue”. This Albergue has 86 beds and I’d guess there were more than 86 in line. Wish I’d taken a photo.  Thankful LP and I have resources that allow us to make reservations for a private room.  Arrived at our hotel and found LP....