A short walk from the guest house brought us to the main square.SCULPTURESAND FLOWERS Welcome to breakfast A friendly venue and a table in the sunshine.San Roque featured in the Parish church and as we walked further on , being slightly inland from the Atlantic evoked a more Camino like atmosphere.What a gateway.Rob viewing the information boardSanto Amaro was a well loved figure here.Santiago is even more loved on the Camino.Moving through the Antas district we were on woodland paths and by now it was warm enough to walk in shirt sleeves or T- shirt – no ocean breeze but pleasant sunshine.Following the arrows we went left..We could hear the sound of the river before we saw it below us .Our crossing point – in winter times apparently the water can cover this bridge, but today there was no problem.Going right we began a gentle ascent.The ocean in view from Castelo do Neivo.Left again.Black and white goatsWe found a Rua that led us to coffeeImposing, modern sculpture by a local apparently Backcloth in the coffee shopPasta del Nata – it had a real depth too,it unlike the pale imitations we get at home.Another sighting of the Atlantic A gatherings of lilies in a cool,shady spot under a high wall.St James in his niche with colourful flowers.A close up.The oldest temple dedicated to Saint James outside of Spanish territory. It was consecrated by Bishop Naustus in the year 862, shortly after the discovery of the Apostle’s tomb.I think I prefer my poles to his wobbly looking stick!We are starting from the bottom..And upwards it was…Mike and Rob making their way upwards,however the next few hundred metres became tricky, as the path was strewn with rocks and boulders, so we took our time and gingerly picked our way through.Another impressive church towards the end of the climbSao Romao de Neiva – a place of particular devotion.Many penitents make their way up these steps on their knees- none of the passing Pelegrinos took up the challenge.A small vineyard in a clearing in the woods, as we walked on through small, sleepy hamlets featuring some hand some villas.And some strikingly coloured shrubs.The lanes sometimes featured crucifixes embedded in the walls.This was a surprise – a storks’ nest.Viana do Castelo and its environs The bridge over the Minho designed by Eiffel.Hotel Laranjeiro for two nights to enable a “ rest day” on Tuesday.
A colourful evening meat at Sancho Panza with flaming Portuguese/Brazilian Chorizo for starters – don’t try this at home!
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