Porriño to Pontevedra (25.17 miles/40.53 km)

Here I go again, a long distance trekking day, and as I always find myself saying, I didn’t intended on going this far. Almost a marathon day again!

I started out this morning at 7:30 with Paul, my German friend. He had trekked to Redondela yesterday and then took the train back in the morning to walk with me. I enjoyed having Paul there, as talking makes time go by fast, especially on those tough long uphills. Getting a little German perspective on things is interesting too.

The terrain out of Porriño started uphill almost immediately, even walking through the residential areas. The first few miles were a roller coaster of ups and downs, and then after about four miles we hit a long steep uphill climb that might have been two miles total. Thankfully the weather today was fairly cool.

Being so close to Santiago, and also where the various alternate Caminos merge, there were lots of pilgrims on the Camino today.

Going uphill for me with the Wheelie is always slow going but I passed quite a few pilgrims going uphill. Not that I am in such great shape but you could tell many people had not prepared for these uphill climbs. Even though starting in Tui or Porto are the shorter Caminos, walking even 10-12 miles a day, with the climbs, is not easy.

There were the usual fast walkers that have small or no backpacks, and they are probably having their luggage transported. Then there are also the pilgrims that just started their Camino and still have the energy. I admire everyone for being on the Camino no matter how they do it. Me, I am just slow and steady up those hills, like the tortoise.

We got to Redondela, where Paul had walked last night, well before noon, and we stopped to shop and had something to eat.

We had gone about 18 miles near Xesteira when I had to make a decision. Whether to stop at lodging here or go the additional 6-7 miles to Pontevedra? It was only 2:00 but my shin splint was very swollen and had been bothering me because the very steep downhills. The next stretch of the Camino was similar, with many ups and downs. I decided to stop, since it was prudent because of my shin splint. I said good bye to Paul and headed to the main road to the hotel and he went back to the Camino.

As I started walking the road two Irish pilgrims that we had seen earlier today caught up with me. They were going to a hotel further down the road, and I made the mistake of walking and talking with them past the hotel where I had planned to stay. At that point I figured I might as well go all the way to Pontevedra on the road.

I got to Pontevedra about 4:45, and because I didn’t have a phone and had not made reservations, I just stopped at hotels until I found a room at the Hotel Avenida Pontevedra. There are several albergues in Pontevedra, but I find it hard with all the people to find a quiet place to meditate, and also write my blog. The Avenida is in a good location near the city center, or plaza, and restaurants and stores, and it wasn’t bad for €35 ($39).

Later I walked about a mile to the Vodafone cell phone store to buy a new SIM card for my phone. Once there I realized I forgot my passport and the store was closing in half an hour. In most European countries you need to show a passport to get phone service. I guess tomorrow will be another day without a phone.

I had a little light snack at a cafe next door to the hotel and eat some of my food from the store and was able to settle in fairly early.

I hope to have a good night’s sleep, as tomorrow might possibly be a long day? It is about 42 miles to Santiago and the next lodging is about 15 miles, and after that it is about another 7-9 miles to the next lodging. Like today, I’ll play it by ear.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Please excuse the typos, spelling, grammar, etc., as I am typing this on my phone, and I am probably pretty tired.

If you would like to see the Alzheimer’s Association website, see our team page, and donated, please go to:

act.alz.org/goto/tedstrek

The Camino after leaving Porriño

I didn’t see any yellow directional arrows on any posts of walls, but I guess I can’t miss this one!

Getting ready to go down a very steep and long stretch of the Camino. The view of the valley from here was gorgeous.

The photo doesn’t show it, but it was really a steep grade. I’d estimate it was 15-20%?

I did a zig zag to take the stress off of my knees, and especially my shin splint. The Wheelie makes it harder as it tends to push me downhill.

Crossing the bridge to Xesteira

Looking at the river emptying into the salt water bay

Ok, I had to pick some grapes because the are everywhere

Coming in to Pontevedra

I had to put this in! It is an automatic dog washing shop! Only €2 ($2.22).

Those are the machines! You put your dog in there and turn it on? Funny!

Walking through the city center

My home for the night, Hotel Avenida Pontevedra

Not fancy, but as I always like, it’s clean

Bath

It surely wasn’t flat today. Look at those steep climbs.

My trek today

My trek today