One of our best decisions we have made on the Camino was to schedule breaks during the walk which not only had huge physical benefits but mental as well as we formed awesome memories in some of the most amazing places on the Camino such as Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada etc and today we are enjoying the beauty of Portomarin sitting beside a large reservoir/lake.
The old town of about 2,000 was partly submerged to provide water catchment for a growing Spanish city populations like Santiago. It is noteworthy because of the Romanesque Church, San Nicolas, that was disassembled ,numbered and rebuilt away from the flood waters in the new town square. We accessed the town across a long bridge over the water then up extremely steep stairs to reach the town on hirer ground...not something we pilgrims like at the end of the day.
Being the logical first day for the 100km pilgrims there are a huge number of accommodation and eating options here, the later we will take advantage of with a seafood paella for an early dinner. Last night we ate in and bumped into a couple of Aussies from Beaudesert who were walking from Leon ( another popular starting point)...the world is a small place on the Camino.
After a sleep in (8:30am is about as much as our body clocks let us have), a hearty breakfast (we can't help squirreling some food away for future walking days..wonder if the habit will change when home☺) we checked out the town, topping up medical and other supplies. There are now a plethora of gifts stores full of Camino memorabilia but we resist the temptation most of the time knowing we still have 6 days walking to go.
One main goal today was to secure the remaining accommodation given the huge increase in pilgrims and to sort out Santiago and Finisterre plans given we are arriving 3 days earlier than planned.
So by the middle of the day, with everything sorted despite the dodgy wifi (sad but it is one of the top draw cards of accommodations...you can pretty well get away without your personal data plan)..I joined Anita on the terrace for a relaxing coffee and coke...enjoying the sunny 28deg day and awesome views...ah, the Camino does reward you sometimes...do we really have to transition back?Maybe 6 months in oz, 6 months in Spain☺
Ps: my attitude is still am being tested by the lobby full of "100km pilgrim" baggage.. dropped off by the transport companies... .then those poor pilgrims stumbling in, just surviving their first day.
Pps: note, regardless of the day off the daily chores have to be done..love our travel clothes line☺
The old town of about 2,000 was partly submerged to provide water catchment for a growing Spanish city populations like Santiago. It is noteworthy because of the Romanesque Church, San Nicolas, that was disassembled ,numbered and rebuilt away from the flood waters in the new town square. We accessed the town across a long bridge over the water then up extremely steep stairs to reach the town on hirer ground...not something we pilgrims like at the end of the day.
Being the logical first day for the 100km pilgrims there are a huge number of accommodation and eating options here, the later we will take advantage of with a seafood paella for an early dinner. Last night we ate in and bumped into a couple of Aussies from Beaudesert who were walking from Leon ( another popular starting point)...the world is a small place on the Camino.
After a sleep in (8:30am is about as much as our body clocks let us have), a hearty breakfast (we can't help squirreling some food away for future walking days..wonder if the habit will change when home☺) we checked out the town, topping up medical and other supplies. There are now a plethora of gifts stores full of Camino memorabilia but we resist the temptation most of the time knowing we still have 6 days walking to go.
One main goal today was to secure the remaining accommodation given the huge increase in pilgrims and to sort out Santiago and Finisterre plans given we are arriving 3 days earlier than planned.
So by the middle of the day, with everything sorted despite the dodgy wifi (sad but it is one of the top draw cards of accommodations...you can pretty well get away without your personal data plan)..I joined Anita on the terrace for a relaxing coffee and coke...enjoying the sunny 28deg day and awesome views...ah, the Camino does reward you sometimes...do we really have to transition back?Maybe 6 months in oz, 6 months in Spain☺
Ps: my attitude is still am being tested by the lobby full of "100km pilgrim" baggage.. dropped off by the transport companies... .then those poor pilgrims stumbling in, just surviving their first day.
Pps: note, regardless of the day off the daily chores have to be done..love our travel clothes line☺
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