Ponte de Lima to Rubiaes This has been a great day's hiking through the forest path over the highest point of this Camino trail. The weather has been good and the views have been really enjoyable including churches nestled into the hillsides and forest landscape. Margita's knee seems to be improving having knocked her toe into a rock which seems to have popped something back into place. Accident or divine intervention? As we approached the summit of today'...

Tamel Sao Pedro Fins to Ponte de Lima As we set off this morning from the tiny hamlet where we had stayed in the municipal albergue last night, a lovely line of mist hovered in the valley. We were soon to realize that this was in fact smoke from numerous fires being lit around the whole area as farmers burn the cornfields in readiness for ploughing. We caught up again with 'the lads' and I admire their wonderful carefree sense of adventure and fun. As we walke...

Pedra Furada to Tamel Sao Pedro Fins Last night our hospitalero Antonio told some stories of his life which was fascinating. How he had travelled to Paris without a passport when he was 17 hiding from armed guards on the border between Spain and Portugal.....how he had worked in Amsterdam for a while and what is was like under a fascist dictatorship. it is hard to believe that only 40 years ago, things were very different in Spain and Portugal where secret poli...

Vila do Conde to Pedra Ferrada Some days lift your spirits and remind you of the pleasures which long distance walking offers. We left the harbour at Vila do Conde and made our way inland through the outskirts of the town and then into more rural and agricultural landscape. There are more churches and obvious links with the historic Camino route. People are more likely to encourage you on your way as you cover the miles with your rucksack on your back. The to...

Porto to Vila do Conde There are two options on leaving Porto: up through the city suburbs and industrial areas or along the Atlantic Coast. Guess which route we took? The sky has been blue and the sun bright today which provides a lovely days walking up the Atlantic coastline to Vila do Conde. The sea has been calm with the sound of breakers washing on to the shoreline and the shimmering light of the sun on the ocean. Idyllic. There is an extensive boardwalk ...