Galicia, España, Tui – O Porriño

We are in another country and everything is different. The alarm clock woke us up for the first time. The house where we slept was full. In the center of the city people drank their coffee, the backpack next to them. It was foggy and cool. We walked past the cathedral and through medieval streets out of Tui town. In front of us, and behind us hikers. Many Spaniards stay in Spain and start the Camino in Tui.

The path was also different today. After 5 km there was a cafe with a terrace full of walkers. We met Toni there again. Everyone wants another cup of coffee or a beer, because there would be no other option. There are beautiful forest paths, but sometimes it goes along the highway. Or even via a viaduct over the highway. It’s less quiet.

Now we are in O Porriño. The sun has now broken through.

Tui – O Porriño. 18 km. 23°C

Bom dia, buenes dias

Obrigada, gracias. We are in Spain. This afternoon we crossed the border via the bridge between Valenca and Tui. We lost an hour with it. 😉 an hour time difference.

We were on our way early, after a homemade cup of Nescafe and a Liga cookie. Soon there was a cafe where we could drink real coffee on the terrace. There followed a route with many stops; for a sandwich, soup, homemade iced tea… Toni, with whom we ate yesterday, we met again today. But we followed our own pace.

It was a nice route today, with lots of shady trails. Twice, we crossed a Roman bridge. And also many paths seemed medieval.

We encountered more hikers today. But the cook of an Albergue en route, said it is very quiet compared to ‘normal’ years.

The last kilometers before Valenca were equally tough. But arriving in the city gave new energy.

Valenca has a castle, as a defense from the Middle Ages. The route ran past and through it. And then there was the bridge over the Rio Miño. A little exciting. But we were never asked for anything. A hiker behind us asked where the formalities are. There are none.
Here in Spain people are just as strict as in Portugal to disinfect with hands and wear a mouth mask. People prefer to see you wearing your mask everywhere, even outside.

We are now in Tui, and have a nice room in the center. We got the stamp at the cathedral. And then we felt we deserved a cold beer: Estrella. And we really felt we had arrived in Spain when we got chips and olives with it.

Rubiães – Tui. 22km. 33°C