LP and VQT

 Posted by LP Photo - Portuguese words over the kitchen at the cafe where we at breakfast at 7am - they translate as “success is made of small daily efforts - thanks to those who always support us” - of course this is appropriate for us as Camino walkers as it is for the small family bakery that fed us this morning  Photo - very fancy green door, arched with pots on the wall above - first photo I took after it stopped raining this morning  Photo - VQT taking photo of ceramics and plants on the wall outside a fancy villa  Photo - Camino sign of yellow arrow and shell, on which someone had added googly eyes :) Photo - wall painting inside a church of pilgrim and Camino shells Photo - rainbow seen from our dinner spot (pizza, salad and vino tinto) - over the Lima River in Viana de Castilo I am doing fine, but either I have under estimated the Camino, or over estimated my recovery (from several health issues) - a good night’s sleep will be wonderful 💚

 Posted by VQT Photo: starting end of bridge.   Photo: Ending end of bridge.   Photo: info on the bridge.   This is what we had to walk across to get to Viana do Castelo.  I don’t care that Eiffel designed it.  It’s terrifying to pedestrians.  There’s a narrow walkway protected from speeding vehicles by pylons a quarter  the size of a swimming noodle and spaced 4 to 5 feet apart. And there’s a train underneath that shakes the whole structure when it crosses.  The wind was blowing so I took off my ball cap so it wouldn’t blow away - then my hair was blowing across my face (at least it screened the terrifying view).   Leaving we head away from the bridge so don’t have to cross it again.  

 Posted by VQT Photo: skateboard park.  Yep!  Just what we needed outside our window a skateboard park.  Our basic room is not air conditioned so opening the sliding door is required.  I hope once it gets dark they go home.  Please.   Headed to find a mixed salad and a glass of vino tinto.  We’ll be back to our normal selves afterwards.  

 Posted by VQT Photo Esposende name in the rain.  Leaving Esposende in the rain.  We walked for about 2 hours in moderate rain.   Photo of LP on trail.  Photo:LP navigating rocky path.   Photo:LP and trail side shop owner, VQT.   Shop owner was overjoyed when I showed him a photo of his trail side shop from 3 years ago.  Photo: LP crossing over river on stone bridge.  Photo: Small church we passed.   It was a long day - 15 miles.  Starting out in the rain and then walking in wet shoes and socks wasn’t a lot of fun.  We have been very fortunate with the weather for most of our Caminos - so today was an anomaly.   Arrived in Viana do Castelo and could not find our hotel.  Finally arrived and it’s very basic.  After such a long day a basic room just doesn’t provide joy.  Staff at reception desk is excellent and they had a stocked cooler.  A cold Super Bock and a little rest worked wonders.   Now to fi...

 Posted by VQT Photo: River Cavado.  Yesterday we walked across this bridge.  Was not the scariest bridge crossing.  They had a barricaded pedestrian walking area.   Photo: A large planter of sedums.  Today we head to Viana do Castelo.  Another 15 mile day according to the guidebook (which we know isn’t always accurate).   It’s not as flat a walk as yesterday but no real elevation changes.   Our new friends are also going to Viana do Castelo but staying at a different place.  We are up early.  Rain is forecast to start about 11:00. We are going to get an early start to walk as far as possible before the rain.   Update: 7:15 am it’s drizzling rain.  Never trust the forecast.  

 Posted by LP Photo - house with green door and lovely shaped arch above door and window  Photo - green stripped tents on the beach  Photo - VQT next to creation by pilgrims leaving ribbons and souvenirs  Photo - VQT taking a photo of the Atlantic  I exaggerated when I said we would walk 15 1/2 miles today (as per guide book), it was “only” 13 miles! - I didn’t take too many photos because it took me all my energy to make the distance - it was a sunny, breezy and beautiful day day, we met lovely people, it was flat.., but for someone like who has not walked much these past 6 months, it was quite the challenge - we left as the church rang 8am, we arrived about 3pm, and celebrated with our new friends and a few beers :) 💚