Life's a Stitch

 

23.2k

 

Our elegant accommodation at Os Miguelinos came with a fitting breakfast.

 

We took our time, starting our walk at 10:00 a.m., the same time as a community 10k walk with at least 150 participants. 

It was ironic as we chose this route for a less populated Camino, but admirable to see another group of people with a common goal. We, all 152 of us, passed the remains of an ancient fortification built to fend off the Vikings. 

They were doing a loop, so at 5k we were on our own again in time to enjoy the peace of the estuary.

 

Then came the loooonnggg quiet road asphalt next to the railroad tracks. It was an opportunity for occasional shoulder walking to give the feet some variety: giant pine needles, weeds and millions of acorns that are currently showering down from the oaks.

We entered town to be greeted by this Camino dog of the day.

Crossing the same bridge into Padrón  as we did in 2016 we discovered it was market day. The vendors travel from town to town. It was interesting walking through, watching the hubbub, without the intention of buying a thing. Nobody dares add an ounce to their packs.

 

 

Important Camino point: plan your walking to end by 3:00pm, when Spain’s temperatures reach their height. It was a hot 5:00 before we arrived at Casa da Meixida, the other side of Padron. Same price as last night’s, close to the busy highway, the rooms nearly as beautiful, but the owner wanted an additional 9e each for breakfast. We declined.

It was Sunday, and they weren’t serving dinner. Luckily there was a restaurant 40 meters away. Not too hungry, we ordered calimari and salad. The food was adequate but the best part was meeting the table of four Irish pilgrims next to us. 

 

Tomorrow we walk into Santiago, marking the close of our journey on the Camino Portugues with the Spiritual Variante, and decisions for the next five days of walking.