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The view from my window.

Just down the road – as always, such a land of contrasts.

This is for Hamish and Bill and Jude – a dairy farm and a vineyard.

Not sure if this is trickle irrigation or to keep the birds/pilgrims away but there are bottles hanging from trees everywhere.

Sharing roads with locals is very common – and they don’t slow down. I don’t think Health and Safety are quite as busy here as home.

Toady I walked solo and did the whole 18 kms on my own which I loved. Despite the increased number of pilgrims (who have joined just to do the last 100k and get their certificate – which necessitates getting it signed min twice a day – which I keep forgetting) – it was quite easy to walk in peace and just listen to the sounds around me, especially the birds and insects, and the beautiful stream we followed. The countryside is sublimely beautiful in some places, especially by the streams, where the land is left to run riot and is covered in forget-me-nots and other gorgeous flowers. Up to 26 tho could have been more – but I could often walk in shade. Sat by a stream for ages and cooled my feet in the stream which helped. Looking extremely gorgeous in my new sensible hat and money belt hanging over my stomach.

I have taken lots of photos as Portugal and Spain are so interesting at every turn. Won’t bore you too much with my musings. Do wish I had a good camera though – and maybe some lessons wouldn’t go astray Clothes on and singing time. No down time really but the women – and Rod – are all lovely and inclusive and I’m enjoying it.

My bedroom and bathroom for the night – a 5 star hotel, plus the living room I use. Pool’s off the living room.

Absolutely slumming it.

Have had a great day – 26 was the highest I saw recorded outside a shop in Rendola – a town we walked through. Big day, a big hill. But feet are coping ok as is the body. Tomorrow is also going to be hot but with cloud cover … hopefully. We’ve walked through stunning scenery for most of the day, and even in the towns, it’s so interesting.

Anyway, drinks o’clock now. So far the last 3 posts I’ve written have disappeared into the ether, so they must have been so boring the ether decided they weren’t worth publishing. Hope this one works – the hotel is stunning!!!! I’ve done tours through my room it’s so beautiful – and I have 2 balconies – views next post.

Adeus – oops that’s still Portuguese – despulpa (sorry in P – used it often. Spanish sorry not nearly as interesting)

I just checked to see if my latest bit had loaded, and it appears I may have been rather loaded myself. However, it seems this is developing into a gift that keeps on giving – it takes double the time to read as you work out what I mean and try to find some chronological order.

Thought you might be interested in the Portuguese attitude to tea, water and wine. At a previous hotel. Last night we were at a massive chateau thing owned and run by the Count of something. Very flash. We were shown through – saw at least 6 dining rooms, and we ate there.

Their own day to day kitchen – ancient sink and air fryer. Goes back to around the 12 Century (I vaguely remember hearing). It must be noted that wine flows freely here – had a vodka tonight and she brought the bottle to the table and just poured as she chatted to us. Needless to say to say, I say quite a few parts to songs that weren’t charted. Luckily there woman who runs the singing is very understanding. Loving the singing. Always in 4 parts so 3 or 4 in each group. Hard to get away with mouthing the words.

They add new houses to old ones everywhere – it’s quite intriguing.

and hang their washing and put ATMs in the oddest of places.

However it’s now after 11 and we had a 20 km day today with another tomorrow, and have to be packed and out of our rooms by 8 so need to go. And sleep. Hopefully, having just finished dinner – and chocolate mousse – less than an hour ago. I’m basically eating (and drinking) whatever is put in front of me without too many side effects overall – except sleep deprivation. Now in Tui, in Spain. Buildings and people less colourful than Portugal, so far anyway. However, I’m more familiar with the language which is a bonus.

Buenas noches…. Google translate!!!!

The bravest of us set out early to check on the conditions – see above! 3 more set out of the full day, which was our highest climb, clambering up and down quite rocky paths which had become waterfalls. I, of course, being mindful of my recent history of trips to Emergency Departments, chose not to do it. It was a good excuse anyway – let’s be honest.

However I started with my next best thing which was extremely beautiful until the piped music started outside – I’m sure it was to clear the area of vagrants! Then I had a very interesting trip to Aldi – if you’ve not been to one, you’ve not missed anything! Then some of us walked for a while and had morning tea, took some photos – I did a Reiki and massage gun session and so it went.

It’s been an interesting time so far. One member – the only guy, an Aussie – had to isolate for the first day as he had a cough. There are very strong protocols around not spreading bugs. He was ok – allergy – then Jessie, who’s running the whole trip – felt unwell and has been isolated ever since. So sad for her – others have picked up the music part – and she’s only emerged once since, highly masked up. the group is great – 2 kiwis, 1 Scot, the rest Aussies. Most of them know each other thru Jessie/choirs so form a strong base for all the singing. They are largely around my age, one younger, the oldest 81. As always, as we progress, all with our own stories, there is always someone to walk at our side. They are lovely women the energy when we sing is fabulous.

We are presently staying in a massive estate, with the Count still living here – and his dog which looks like a horse. The Count seems quite cool – he hung out the window earlier, chatting to 2 of us, trying to get Leo (the dog) to show us around. The house and estate are massive – I’ve taken photos and videos, through the rain, which sadly fail to reflect the beauty and grandeur of the place, as well as the fact that it’s a relatively self sufficient entity within itself.

The whole area is incredibly beautiful, every turn, every corner, every vista makes me reach for my camera. I love the history and it’s everywhere you look. I can see the early Roman influence everywhere, and am loving trying to translate all the Portuguese with my Latin and French knowledge.The locals are very understanding of our bastardised accent and use of their language and it’s been fun trying to make myself understood. Luckily, and surprisingly, gluten intolerance is common here so that’s been a lot easier than previous European holidays. Time for dinner – and I’ll try to download some more photos to send.

Cross fingers for posting this.

The symbol of the Camino which we follow (for the uninitiated) or simple painted yellow arrows. However, it’s quite easy to not follow them and some kind people paint yellow crosses on tracks/roads/driveways we might otherwise follow.

Today has been great – forecast was for sun all day – but it rained on and off until 2 when the sun came out and all the merino seemed a very bad idea. My feet, specifically my right little toe, are no longer my best friends – but apparently some suffering is obligatory for optimum outcome……. The scenery has been sublimely beautiful with the combination of rain and sun but unfortunately my photos have not done it justice – however what I have loved is constantly walking thru overarching grape vines and lush vegetation.

I loved last night’s singing. We had pre dinner drinks and sang again in 4 parts – and it felt absolutely wonderful. I think I’m officially a tenor, but have a suspicion it may be in name only. The joy of singing together is so real, and also an amazing relationship is building as we walk and talk together, and share experiences each evening – if we want to. The meals continue to be fabulous, as does the wine, and our accommodation tonight is overlooking the river, modern but lovely.

Ooops – couldn’t make this one smaller….. This was outside someone’s house – they had fruit and drinks (beer and water in a chilly bin) and an honesty box out unattended, along with the stamp you can gather if you want a certificate at the end (your Credencial). The kindness and friendliness of the great majority of the locals is amazing – they call out “Bom Camino” as we wander by, invariably gawking at something which is simply their life. We walk along very narrow roads at times and they roar on past, either seemingly oblivious to us, or slowing right down and calling out a greeting. BMWs are a dime a dozen here, as are all the other European prestige cars in NZ, which seems so odd. Anyway, it’s drinks o’clock and singing time so clothes on and I’m off. I neither edit nor proofread this I’m sorry – actually I’m not really – I’m just making an excuse for any lapses in expectations or standards. I could happily wax eloquent for pages about my days here, but don’t want to bore you, and there are simply not enough hours on the days.

Adeus – thinking of you all – fleetingly.

Finally. My lack of tech skills are lesson 2 of my journey!!!!! I wrote a massive lot last night and meant to add more … and obviously didn’t save it. Old habits die hard.

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