Saturday June 1st Redondela to Pontevedra

Saturday June 1st. Redondela to Pontevedra about 23km

We left the parochial albergue in Redondela early as we were expecting another day of hot temperatures. After breakfast of yogurt, croissants and banana and some cheese we took off in the cooler predawn air. It was nice. The path we followed for the most part was a shaded or partly shaded trail through the local environment and skirting villages, which was nice with the exception of the lack of “servicios” i.e. bathroom facilities. As part of pilgrim etiquette we try not to use nature as a potty unless we really need to. And this generally works as there are villages every 3-5km. But when the paths don’t enter the village, well that’s a problem. Anyway after about 10km we landed in a village and had a snack at a bar/cafe. Coffees and juices and a liter and half water to replenish our supply then off to the trail again. 

As we neared Pontevedra and were walking on another stone Roman road we again saw where cart wheels had carved grooves in the stone. Much like the still-visible Oregon trail in some places, but I imagine many hundreds or a millennia ago. 

We arrived at Hotel Room, no joke that’s the name, just prior to noon and were told to go away till 2pm you smelly pilgrims. We were however able to store our packs and mucho sweaty boots and shoes here while we enjoyed a midday drink of a local beer and lemon soda called Clara. 

After that this unbathed rabble of fragrant pilgrims did about an hour and change of sight seeing including the church of the Virgin Pilgrim. The floor of the church is laid out to resemble the shell many pilgrims have on their packs, which historically signified that the pilgrim had proof of making the voyage all the way to Finisterre, just past Santiago de Compostela. 

At 2pm we reappeared at the hotel and were reluctantly checked in by the manager. A quick shower and back downstairs to meet the family of Claudia Posse-Acha , Jorge her father and Eva her mother. What a gift this was. We had our personal tour guides who educated us about many parts of Pontevedra and its history dating to Roman times. And we’re departing town tomorrow over an intact Roman bridge, just amazing when you put in in perspective for what we think of as old highway infrastructure. 

Claudia’s father is also a podiatrist and a surgeon , oh isn’t this fortunate?  After dinner and sharing some Camino pictures of gale force winds on the beaches and grooves in Roman roads and taped toes, Jorge asked if that was my foot and I replied yes I had a blister underneath a thick callus. The Doctor then directed Kelli and I to his office in town where a foot examination occurred, discovering several issues, and then out came a scalpel and a cut here and slice there and voila no callus no blister and a waterproof bandage with something like moleskin was applied. Pronounced fixed and good to go Kelli and I thanked Jorge and Eva and especially Claudia for spending their afternoon with us and treating us to such a wonderful meal and tour. Fantastic folks. 

Back at Hotel Room we did our laundry and Kelli and Ginny made reservations for a hotel at the top of a mountain with a text warning that this is the highest point on our Portuguese Camino and it is an arduous climb. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler so that is good and the route up is about the same as today at just over 21km. All up hill, steeply, with bears and no civilization so bring what you need. 

I’ll try to post a few pictures from today but there is a very weak WiFi signal in this hotel.