Redondela

Another beautiful walk through woodland high above the coast with a constantly changing view of the Vigo bay.

I was here first almost exactly 24 years ago and we parked our caravan in a small village just off the route. This is pretty much the view as I remember from then.

I like to get a good two hours solid walking in before the first stop. Started at 8:30 and once out of Vigo it became woodland all the way, no sign of the regular cafes found on other days. 10:30 on the dot, the first cafe comes in sight, I think it also sold shorter bicycle pumps.

I am now booked in at one of the Alburgues in Redondela, newly opened, very swish and a sign of the heavy investment being made on the Português Camino. In a short time I think this route will begin to be as busy as the French one. Having chosen it for the relative quiet I’m not sure how I feel about that. The numbers of people from around the world walking Caminos has increased dramatically over a few short years. Perhaps it will have its own regulatory mechanism as it becomes more crowded or perhaps Disney will buy the franchise and put golf trolleys trundling between the Alburgues.

For now I am just happy that at the end of a long days walk I am made welcome (in varying degrees of comfort) for something between €5 and €15 head.

An improvised teapot at the Alburgue in Redondela. And a lovely cup of tea it was too.

Tomorrow I have my sights set on Pontevedra 31 days since leaving Mirfield.