Jim and Kim's Travels: Day 3 The Endless Walk from Arcade to Pontevedra, Spain

Breakfast was always pretty much the same fare. Lots of lovely pastries, yogurt, meat, cheese and usually a hot dish of some kind.

Once again it was close to daylight when we set out. Look at us, feeling all optimistic!

Of course, this was Google taking us the shortest way, but our info for the Camino trail also said 11 km. It should be a shorter day!

And we were off...as usual, Laura and Gina were in the lead. Terri, Lynne and I not far behind. I think we took more pictures (that's my excuse anyway).

Beautiful clear water...

Well, this got real in a hurry. I was happy to have hiking poles.

Looking back...a chance for a breather as this hill carried on.

Lynne's good husband painted these black rocks for her to leave in different places. I hope they make everyone smile as much as we did.

Through the countryside...

A little break...

Vendors were set up along the trail, selling various items and usually also selling water, which was appreciated. Terri bought a nice pair of earrings here.

And the eccentric owner...he would also stamp your passport, and his stamp was one of my favourites.

His stamp is on the bottom left...

Each stop might have been 10-15 minutes. It was nice to have an interaction with the vendors and other pilgrims.

It was about 11:00 a.m. by now.

Look how pretty this is! How could you not stop and take a picture?

Laura and me...

Lots of vineyards...

The cobblestones always added to the challenge, with an uphill thrown in.

And then a little downhill...this was pretty much how it went every day.

Pilgrims leave various things on the trail...shells, ribbons, flags, rocks.

Any time there was a chance to sit, even if only for two minutes, it was taken!

This tiny chapel was constructed in the early 1600s and has played a significant role as a place for pilgrims to rest and worship.

Some of the cats were sad to see. Little guy was so friendly, but clearly suffering from some upper respiratory problem. It was hard to leave him...

Here comes Lynne on the run...she got so distracted by the cat, she forgot her poles and had to go back for them.

Statues with shells and pilgrims along the way...

I think that says it!

Still lots of flowers blooming...

Amen! A coffee shop...it was almost noon and definitely time for a stop. Weren't we supposed to be in Pontevedra by noon?

This guy was the drinks man...any type of coffee, hot chocolate, alcohol, juice...no judging on the Camino.

I did pass up a pastry (for once) and had a protein bar and fruit bar that I had brought with me. I was getting tired of carrying them around and had plenty more in my duffel bag at the hotel.

Pontevedra at last...a very nice city.

This was the typical luggage scene when you arrived at the hotel. I could see the top of my duffel bag, always a relief. The expressions on these guys' faces made me laugh. "Do a Camino, they said. It will be fun."

A nice room...

With a nice shower...

Because we did arrive around 3:00 p.m., we decided to do laundry. Some stuff was very much in need of it! We were quickly learning what we didn't need on the trail, and what we needed more of.

With laundry over and feeling refreshed after a shower, we went for a beverage before dinner. That isn't Sangria...it's vodka and orange juice. The waiter brought the bottle of vodka to the table and just started pouring it into my glass. At first you laugh, and then you wonder if you're supposed to tell him when to stop! It was a stiff drink.

These snacks which accompanied the drinks were memorable. Chips on the right? Perfect. But what was this stuff in the dishes? I thought the curled pieces must be noodles, but they were...bones. So I guess it was an authentic broth for dipping your bread into? Different.