January 12: Day 16 - Valença to Porriño
The big surprise this morning was waking up and realising in was 9.25am! I just couldn't believe! My body really wanted a rest. I wasn't sure when breakfast ended or when check out was.
I had a nice breakfast and then hurried to pack. I was back on the road by 10.20an, very late in the morning really to be starting out.
There was no rain and it seemed strange not to be decked out in rain gear. The Camino had one more surprise as I prepared to leave Valenca and Portugal. It lead me through the fortifications that the Portuguese set up to define themselves from Spain (Tui on the Spanish side has the same.) The fortress is really a town within a fort. The Camino route led me right through the fort, and then over the international bridge into Spain. The last remembrance of Portugal was the EEC circle of stairs with the word Portugal in the middle, and when I crossed the bridge into Spain, there was the EEC flag with its stars and the word Espana in the middle.
Apart from a spot of rain as I entered Spain, the day was clear. How different to what I have had. On the news last night they seemed to be talking about the floods with plenty of shots of swollen rivers.
The Camino way-markers took me down to the river, then through the narrow streets of Tui and up to the Cathedral, where I was just in time to receive a stamp, as they was closing for the morning.
Spanish time is an hour ahead of Portugal which is great news for me, as it means it will get dark as 6.30pm rather than 5.30pm. I was determined to follow John Brierley's book more and try to follow the Camino route as closely as possible. The only trouble is that, even in summer, the route close to the river is close to over flowing so alternative routes are proposed, and I have found myself following them. Where I have followed the original route it's been though nice pastoral and forest land and not so much on the road. There have also been less cobblestones.
Because I began in Valencia and not Tui and because of the slow start I will only be doing about half on the 30 plus km's that Brierley suggested. Up till now I have aimed at starting and finishing where he suggested. Now I will be about the middle of his suggestions. I just need to be sure I can get accommodation at these mid points.
Today was a good day travelling although I seem to have a niggling pain in one foot. A rest will do it good. I arrived at the industrial town of Porriño about 6.00pm in a Pension for E24. This was not great but is all I need. They also have a restaurant which I tried out tonight.
Reflection Point: Bus stops. Yes, bus stops (or any place to stop for a rest).
Today I have stopped quite a bit, and mostly at bus stops. Previously I have only seen bus stops as as 'waiting places' but today I have seen then as 'resting places.' I have seem as a place to rest, to drink from my water bottle, and just rest. Do we often take time out to just rest?
The big surprise this morning was waking up and realising in was 9.25am! I just couldn't believe! My body really wanted a rest. I wasn't sure when breakfast ended or when check out was.
I had a nice breakfast and then hurried to pack. I was back on the road by 10.20an, very late in the morning really to be starting out.
There was no rain and it seemed strange not to be decked out in rain gear. The Camino had one more surprise as I prepared to leave Valenca and Portugal. It lead me through the fortifications that the Portuguese set up to define themselves from Spain (Tui on the Spanish side has the same.) The fortress is really a town within a fort. The Camino route led me right through the fort, and then over the international bridge into Spain. The last remembrance of Portugal was the EEC circle of stairs with the word Portugal in the middle, and when I crossed the bridge into Spain, there was the EEC flag with its stars and the word Espana in the middle.
Apart from a spot of rain as I entered Spain, the day was clear. How different to what I have had. On the news last night they seemed to be talking about the floods with plenty of shots of swollen rivers.
The Camino way-markers took me down to the river, then through the narrow streets of Tui and up to the Cathedral, where I was just in time to receive a stamp, as they was closing for the morning.
Spanish time is an hour ahead of Portugal which is great news for me, as it means it will get dark as 6.30pm rather than 5.30pm. I was determined to follow John Brierley's book more and try to follow the Camino route as closely as possible. The only trouble is that, even in summer, the route close to the river is close to over flowing so alternative routes are proposed, and I have found myself following them. Where I have followed the original route it's been though nice pastoral and forest land and not so much on the road. There have also been less cobblestones.
Because I began in Valencia and not Tui and because of the slow start I will only be doing about half on the 30 plus km's that Brierley suggested. Up till now I have aimed at starting and finishing where he suggested. Now I will be about the middle of his suggestions. I just need to be sure I can get accommodation at these mid points.
Today was a good day travelling although I seem to have a niggling pain in one foot. A rest will do it good. I arrived at the industrial town of Porriño about 6.00pm in a Pension for E24. This was not great but is all I need. They also have a restaurant which I tried out tonight.
Reflection Point: Bus stops. Yes, bus stops (or any place to stop for a rest).
Today I have stopped quite a bit, and mostly at bus stops. Previously I have only seen bus stops as as 'waiting places' but today I have seen then as 'resting places.' I have seem as a place to rest, to drink from my water bottle, and just rest. Do we often take time out to just rest?
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