We soon came to a lovely little stream, complete with customary Roman bridge for the atmospheric pilgrim crossing,
We met up with Annemarie and Geoff for our breakfast cafe con leite, and then continued on our woodland way.
Again, we marvelled at the ethereal quality of the morning light and later, the warmth of the sunlight slanting through the cork trees.
And how's this for a set of steps up the wall??
There were a number of cobbled roads today, but they were softened by grass in between. Amazing how you can become attuned to the subtle differences in surfaces underfoot!
These weren't grassy, but smooth enough to be relatively easy on the soles!
This is a cairn left by pilgrims.
And it was clearly a day for signposts. As well as the one we passed first thing in the morning, these gave us our location in the world.
It was a fairly downhill run today, and before we knew it we were entering Valenca, our last Portugese town. Unfortunately the albergue there was closed, so we've had to cross the river to Tui - just over the Spanish border and three kilometres on.
These towns have a long history with each other, not all of it friendly.
That's Tui from the bridge/ border.
And that's Valenca from our albergue. Note the fortified walls which still enclose the old city.
Another shot from our albergue, which is a restored stone building just below the Cathedral.
And speaking of the cathedral ...
These winding city lanes are always enticing.
We're about to walk back to Valenca to have dinner with Geoff and Annemarie (just to add a few more kilometres to our day). This will be our last Portuguese meal. We have loved our time in Portugal and have really appreciated many simple pleasures in this special part of the world. It's also nice to reconnect with Spain, we just have to adjust to time and language differences!!
Bom caminho
Sarah and Neil
I loved the photographs today, especially the signposts, and the first one, directing you towards abstract qualities, I liked the most. Very creative--both the photography and the thoughtful peregrinhos who put up the sign (assuming that's who's responsible).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your last Portuguese dinner!
Bom Caminho! (tomorrow does that become "¡Buen Camino"?)
Ken
Looks like there were places gentle and nurturing for your souls today, as well as easy paths for soles of feet! I especially love the green glades and flowing water.
ReplyDeleteAnother feast of God's creative goodness. Loved the boot at the end of your last post - hope your own feet continue to 'bloom' in your boots as you travel along. Fancy seeing someone doing washing in the river! Certainly not something you would expect. What a difficult task. Those steps up the wall cpild be a real challenge!! Continued happy walking.
ReplyDeleteLove all the rivers and streams, it must be very soothing for you! I have been reading your blog alternately with the blog for Kai and Carys, our new twins. While you have been on your pilgrimage these past three to four weeks, they have been getting to know their mum and dad, and thanks to her breastfeeding day and night, have gained some weight so they look even more gorgeous! Their progress into this world has been gentle so far, but soon they may discover more of the big world outside their own small flat in London. Life is always full of new horizons...
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah & Neil
ReplyDeleteI had got a bit behind and just binged on about 10 days straight of your blog. Sunny Portugal is a great antidote to wet and windy Canberra today :-) and I feel like I have just reluctantly landed back at my computer in my kitchen! Thank you for all the thoughts and wonderful photos, and blessings on your next stage. Jenny