Terrarium – June 12, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 13 / Rubiães to Tui, Spain
  • Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 159.3 miles
  • Ascent: 943’ / Descent: 1,449’
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 75 degrees / sprinkled rain first hour than blue skies with white clouds

So green…it is like walking in a terrarium.

Terrarium Territory
Terrarium Territory
Terrarium Territory
Resident of Terrarium Territory.

Superlative – June 11, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 12 /Ponte de Lima to Rubiães
  • Distance: 11.9 miles / Total 146.7 miles
  • Ascent: 1,718’ / Descent: 1,155’
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 75 degrees / blue skies with white clouds, DRY SHOES AND SOCKS.

Superlative morning haze. Superlative mountain with the highest elevation for this Camino. Superlative sunny day when all my clothes are finally washed and dried.

Morning Haze
A person’s inclination is to take the flatter road. No such luck.
There’s a reason why the yellow arrow is so big. It screams, “Do it!”
A thoughtful bouquet of flowers spirits the climb.

Strolling – June 10, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 11 /Corgo to Ponte de Lima
  • Distance: 9.9 miles / Total 134.8 miles
  • Ascent: 598’ / Descent: 905’
  • Time: 5 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast with two light rain showers (1st rainy day)

This is where Portuguese spend holiday weekends. Tourism caters to the Portuguese and not the Camino pilgrims. Authentic Portugal…not Camino Portugal.

City Park
Not the Camino yellow arrow on tote bag. Portuguese not pilgrims.
Pilgrim not Portuguese.
City Park

Raindrops – June 10, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 11 /Corgo to Ponte de Lima
  • Distance: 9.9 miles / Total 134.8 miles
  • Ascent: 598’ / Descent: 905’
  • Time: 5 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast with two light rain showers. Wet shoes, wet feet.

Raindrops keep falling.

Raindrops
Orange, this year’s fashion color.
Raindrops
Raindrops
It didn’t rain on their parade. Meike’s (right) tenth return to Fernanda’s (left) Albergue.

Twice – June 10, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 11 /Corgo to Ponte de Lima
  • Distance: 9.9 miles / Total 134.8 miles
  • Ascent: 598’ / Descent: 905’
  • Time: 5 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast with two light rain showers. Wet shoes, wet feet.

Twice is nice…two Medieval bridges.

Another pack of cyclists heading across the bridge.
Eight arches!
Paddlers going under bridge.
Mosaic Camino Scallop Shell

Snail’s Pace – June 9, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 10 / Barcelos to Corgo
  • Distance: 12.5 miles / Total 124.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,126’ / Descent: 914’
  • Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 65 – 70 degrees / overcast with one light rain shower.

Moving at a snail’s pace I surely would see more. Such isn’t the case walking. Things are constantly changing perspective.

Turn the bend and all looks different.
Water side perspective of Medieval Bridge.
I walked pass this flower and immediately knew I had to return. This beauty deserves a second look.
Camino’s scallop symbol from my foot’s perspective.

Finding Joy – June 8, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 9 / Rates to Barcelos
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 107.5 miles
  • Ascent: 568’ / Descent: 635’
  • Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast. Thunderstorms with driving rain. (Poncho no too hot with the wind, no rain pants, soaked shoes)

Find joy. It is easier when the walk returns to Eucalyptus forest and quiet green spaces. Afternoon’s thunderstorm became an opportunity for an unexpected exquisite lunch of roasted octopus.

Eucalyptus Forest
Green Space
Octopus
More pilgrims by bike than by foot. Storm’s a’coming.
Barcelos between rains.
Ask and maybe we can help. Misdirected bag found.

Modern Architecture – June 8, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 9 / Rates to Barcelos
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 107.5 miles
  • Ascent: 568’ / Descent: 635’
  • Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast. Thunderstorms with driving rain. (Poncho no too hot with the wind, no rain pants, soaked shoes)

Modern Portuguese architecture has common elements…bold right angles, clean lines, floor to ceiling windows, cantilevered space, flat roofs, and tall privacy walls.

Right Angles
Clean Lines
Free standing portico allowing light and breeze.
Cantilevered Space
Floor to Ceiling Windows

Corpus Christi – June 8, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 9 / Rates to Barcelos
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 107.5 miles
  • Ascent: 568’ / Descent: 635’
  • Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 60 – 70 degrees / overcast. Thunderstorms with driving rain. (Poncho no too hot with the wind, no rain pants, soaked shoes)

Seven Rates communities celebrate Corpus Christi by creating flower paths on all streets leading to the church. Corpus Christi commemorates the Last Supper.

Sand paths from the previous night. I thought the streets were in the process of being repaired.
Flower Paths
Corpus Christi
Transformation.
Work started at 5:00am.
Precision
Team Spirit
Stone tower built 1950, the year of my birth. It will standing long after I’m gone.
Flower paths to church.