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A peaceful walk

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 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....
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Intelligent and sarcastic conversation

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 Posted by LP Photo - metal sculpture of  Ravachol the Parrot in the Plaza de Peligrinos in Pontevedra   Photo - the Wikipedia page about Ravachol the Parrot who is celebrated in Pontevedra for its “intelligent and sarcastic conversation”  Aside from this being a charming little story that I’m happy to share, it also indicates that while I have access to WiFi to post this, we don’t have access to our hotel room till 3pm (other hotels are more generous) - VQT covered 9 miles (short day!) in about 5 hours, given the terrain (steep hills!) and weather (heat!) this is an excellent pace and she is very keen (and deserves) to lie down - we are passing time is a local cafe 🦜💚
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Casa D’Mina

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 Posted by LP Casa D’Mina was our charming and friendly accommodation last night (Tuesday 1st September)  Photo - door to courtyard (not green) Photo - back door (once was green, but now worn back to the very old wood) Photo - Galician bagpipes on the wall  Photo - Spanish clogs on stone steps  Photo - inside of front door - looking from the cool of the old stone building, out to the heat of the afternoon sun 
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Day 9. Wednesday 9/2

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 Posted by VQT I took full advantage of our accommodations comfortable bed and rested.  The owners live in town but have thought through everything for a guests need.  There’s no cafe or bar nearby so the kitchen is set up as a self serve honor system.   Photo: Huge 4 compartment refrigerator stocked with beer, sodas, juices, water, cheese, salami, yogurt, muffins, etc.   Photo: Bakers rack with granola, granola bars, chips, bread toasts, chocolate bars, etc.   Photo: Counter top with wine and serving plates.   Every cabinet is labeled.  Tea and coffee available.   Each guest keeps a running total of what they owe and settle up when leaving.   I’m the only one up so having a quiet morning.  LP is not up but I took her a mug of tea - anyone that does my Camino laundry deserves many small gestures of thanks.   We go to Ponteverde today.  Once again I’ll taunt the Camino spirits and say it should be a shorter day.  Photo...
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It was not a shorter day!

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 Posted by VQT Photo: Elevation profile from Buen Camino trail app.  See Vigo on the far left side - that’s where I started from.  There was at least 1.5 miles of steep uphill to reach the plateau.  The guidebook fails to show this! AND.  Our accommodation was not in Redondela it’s in Soutoxuste - at least 2.5 miles past Redondela.  Every step was uphill past Redondela.   But, accommodation is totally charming.  Photos to follow in another post.   Photo: plastic (?) staged sheep climbing on cafe table.   Photo: View from up high.  The squares in the bay are mussel farms.   SO…today was not a shorter easier day it was challenging and 11.5 miles.  The only good news is I’m 2.5 miles closer to tomorrow nights accommodation.  
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Déjà vu all over again 🐠

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 Posted by LP - photos by VQT Photo above - large fish painted on rock - photo taken earlier today  Photo below - LP standing beside same giant fish painted on rock….taken May 2023
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Day 8. Tuesday Sept 1

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 Posted by VQT Headed to Redondela.  It’s a shorter day.  The last 5 km (3 miles) is steeply descending into Redondela.   Photo: stacked stone wall.   Yesterday LP did laundry.  With only minimal clothing doing laundry is a big deal.  Most of us don’t use laundromats - the large load washer & dryers, paying with credit cards and speed of the washing and drying cycles is very impressive.  Next time you travel outside the US and pass by a laundromat go inside and take a look.   Jane & Arthur are about 12 minutes away from our hotel.  I’m meeting them to walk today.  
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