16 km today. Interesting route through Vila de Conde and Povoa do Varzim, then down the coast. Wind much less and an easier walk. Stopped in an ornate church. We have ended the walk in a bar on the coast. Tomorrow we will pick up our tracks and continue to Esposende, hopefully. Health wise weContinue reading “Day 3. Past Povoa do Varzim”
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Day 2. To Vila Cha
After a fantastic breakfast at O Valentim Hotel, we packed up and headed up the coast. The scenery is gorgeous. Sun, sand and waves crashing on the rocks. The first section took us over a bridge and through a built up area, but then we reached the board walks and walked for miles. At firstContinue reading “Day 2. To Vila Cha”
Day 1. Porto Cathedral to Matosinhos
About 14 km today, a good start. Step 1. Breakfast. 2. Bus to Porto. 3. The Cathedral Here we bought our Credenciales or Pilgrim passports. We will get them stamped once a day until the last 100 km when it will be twice. After that we sat in the Cathedral for a few minutes ofContinue reading “Day 1. Porto Cathedral to Matosinhos”
Arriving
Taxi picked us up 7:30 am. Arrived at Manchester Airport with plenty of time. Flew to Madrid. Confusing airport! Flew to Porto. Picked up hire car, went to hotel. Now it gets a bit more interesting. Our hotel is on a street famous for its fish and seafood restaurants. Nothing fancy but good food. TheContinue reading “Arriving”
How did we get here?
This is a lovely walk we took last summer in the Lathkill Dale in the Peak District. It was during Margaret’s visit at that time that we hatched our Camino plan. The film “The Way” (with Martin Sheen) also had something to do with it too. This is something we show at our week retreatsContinue reading “How did we get here?”
Pilgrimage is more than a long walk
The country park 10 minutes from home was warmed by the sun yesterday, and I spent a couple of hours walking up, down and through the tracks that weave over hills, through woodland, and down by pools. It was a lovely day. Some patches of gorse are in flower, and the splashes of bright yellowContinue reading “Pilgrimage is more than a long walk”
Good things are happening
Taking advantage of a sunny day – at last! – I walked one of my favourite Peak District trails yesterday – the Monsal Trail – with glorious views, sprinkled with the occasional bursts of hail and buffeted by an icy wind. I went further than usual, finishing the trail and then doubling back on theContinue reading “Good things are happening”
Walking peace
It’s cold out there! This wet and windy spell is not very conducive for training walks. My last, more than a week ago on the northern section of the Tissington Trail, started with icy wind – that’s snow on the neighbouring hills – and finished with steady cold rain. Now as I’m just 2 weeksContinue reading “Walking peace”
Camino symbols: walking for 3
A scallop shell is a symbol associated with the Camino pilgrimage. You will see it on direction markers, in books, and tied to people’s backpacks. It says, “I am a pilgrim”… And not merely a long distance walker. And so one part of my preparation for the Camino has been drilling holes in shells, gettingContinue reading “Camino symbols: walking for 3”
Maps and Apps
I’ve got quite an amazing ability for losing my way. If it’s possible to get lost or take a long way around, I often do. Some of my longest walks over the years were never meant to be as long. It’s not really a lack of sense of direction as much as not being happyContinue reading “Maps and Apps”
One Step Camino 