Camino Portuguese Day 11 – Caldas de Reis to Padron – completed! Woo hoo! Only 24 km left to go to Santiago de Compostela!
Today was a relatively short 18km through some spectacular woodland areas. 50% of the Way was on forestry trails, mostly dirt or gravel. The other 50% was on asphalt or pavers. We haven’t seen much of the hobble stones since leaving Portugal (thank god). 🙂
Once again we started before dawn – about 8.30am. Breakfast was coffee and OJ, which came with free mini croissants 🙂
Morning tea was at the 5km mark. We were struggling this morning. Further coffee (both) plus a coke for Dave, did the trick. Spain doesn’t appear to do custard filled things, so he’s had to switch fuel sources. Sugar + caffeine seems to be doing the trick.
Second morning tea came about 6km later – ice cream! Almond magnum for me, Cornetto for Dave. Who said walking was healthy ?
At the 18km mark we finally arrived in Padron. I swear the kilometres are getting further apart. There is now definitely more than 1000m in each one.
Tomorrow is our last day on the Camino! Our feet are gonna be so happy once we stop. I think Dave and I shall both miss the Camino experience once we’re back to the reality of everyday life though. The novelty of hostels wears off quickly. Painful feet are a constant companion. But the joy of spending your days wandering through the woods is hard to beat. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to walk through Portugal and Spain. The food has been great. Our fellow pilgrims have been wonderful. The experience is one of a kind and I know once my feet stop hurting I’ll be entertaining crazy thoughts, like maybe walking the Camino Frances next year …
Here’s to custard filled pastries and Compeed blister patches!
Bom Caminho!
