Day Seven: Tui to Porriño

Another beautiful day on the Camino de Santiago!! We started our day out a little later than normal, not leaving the albergue until quarter to eight (though in our defense it felt like quarter to seven since we sprung ahead an hour crossing from Portugal to Spain). The fog rising from the river settled over the town as we left this morning -- if we had not seen the massive church towers, river, and neighboring town with big fortress walls the day before, we wouldn't have known they were there for all the fog. A little ways out of town we came across Peter, a German pilgrim that we often catch throughout the day. After about five kilometers we came to a cafe to have breakfast: toast with cheese and cafe con leche and sumo de naranja. The pilgrims from Israel (Ronni and Itamal) and the pilgrim from Portugal (Catolina) were there as well, so of course we visited and determined if we were all staying in the same town for the night (we were). We also asked to see if they had run into Collie at all; we hadn't seen him since before Valençia -- they hadn't seen him yet today ... but surely he will turn up. Pilgrims always do. 

Over the next ten kilometers we enjoyed the beautiful countryside -- so many beautiful streams and fields and mountains. We passed a tiny town where we again participated in a "sheep parade" as well as saw school children playing futbol at recess. We came across two pilgrims today that immediately caught our attention, namely because one of them was pulling a pack on wheels behind her instead of carrying it on her back. She was, however, carrying her purse -- oh boy; must be an American. Sure enough, Karen and Judy are from Tampa, Florida, although Karen was originally from St. Louis (incarnate word academy). They were just starting out today as the first day on the Camino. How she thinks she will pull a rolling suitcase for one hundred miles is beyond me, but if she can, more power to her! (We only saw them once today and then not again -- but we saw her suitcase wheel tracks in the mud a few times which leads us to believe they are well in their way.) 

Around ten thirty we came upon a cafe; again we saw the Israeli and Portuguese pilgrims (and no sign of Collie from Ireland). CJ and I weren't quite hungry yet, so we got bocadillos to go and planned to stop for a picnic along the path. Now from the cafe their were two routes: the original way which went past some industrial areas and through city or the alternative way which went through the forest and small towns; both would get us to our final destination, but the alternative route would add two kilometers. I decided it was worth it and we started towards the alternative route --- instant regret: a monster hill that went straight. up. 😣 But we climbed to the top and it was all beautiful views and shady paths from that point on. 

CJ and I talked today about how wonderful it would be to have an albergue along the Camino someday, to host pilgrims and have a vacation home in Spain. Perhaps someday (like, when we retire) we can be albergue owners. What a wonderfully peaceful retirement that would be: visiting with pilgrims, providing them with a comfortable stop along their way, and reminiscing about caminos past and present. Of course I would have to improve my Spanish beyond "I would like a sandwich" "is there church today" "my feet hurt" and "which way is the Camino?" (Although to be truthful, my Spanish isn't too terrible ... ) 

After a while walking we came across a wooden shelter with a table and stools inside -- perfect place for a picnic! We pulled out our sandwiches and started eating; and just as we were finishing who should appear but Catolina and Itamal and Ronni -- and Collie!! We all rested a bit longer and then got back on the trail to finish up the last five kilometers of the day. As we approached Porriño, there appeared to be a bit of an "arrow war" occurring. First of all, the arrows began pointing in opposite directions. Some of them were blacked out and then repainted. One way said "go this path" while the other direction said "the way" .. Which to choose? We figured they both lead to the same town anyways, just one way probably went by a cafe or albergue that wanted more attention. The path we chose was prettier -- it ran outside of town along a stream. We ended at our albergue for the night; just CJ, Collie, and I in a room (much different from the dozens in our room last night). 

After a nap and washing our clothes and hanging them out to dry (let it be noted that CJ washed his first load of laundry by hand today!) we went out to dinner. At dinner we ran into Bernie and Helen from Australia -- we Haney seen them since Ponte de Lima! It is always so good to see pilgrims again once you thought you'd lost them (we still wonder what happened to Simone that we met on the first day!). We ate at a local restaurant and then wandered about the town a bit; there we wandered upon a music festival. It seemed to be a small, local, ethnic type festival -- the performers were in old Spanish costumes. We listened for a while before heading back to the albergue; the doors lock at ten and I'd prefer to be in my bed when that happens!! And now I'm tucked into bed, ready for another night of sleep. 

Some photos from today ... 

Apparently we follow the rising sun now ... 

We're kind of blocking it, but behind us is a big pilgrim cutout -- we came upon it as we were leaving Tui. 

Mi amante y yo 😍

We followed some beautiful trails today. 

Good thing for the stones or we'd be swimming the Camino! 

Lunch break!! I love these sandwiches -- made with a special kind of cured ham. They make an excellent (and inexpensive) lunch option. 

Pilgrim pack selfie!! Representing Ireland, Israel, Portugal, and the United States. 

#arrowwar #wheredowego #allarrowsleadtosantiag

It was warm enough today I could have swam in this stream -- someone turned off the rain and cranked up the heat!! 

My dinner: lomo y tortilla y croquetas y aroz y papas Yum!!! Not pictures: vino tinto y helado 

Just hanging out at the street festival ... don't mind us ... 

And my bed for the night. 

Buenos noches. 

Buen Camino.