June 5

The three of us set off with Vilanova Arousal, our destination, 24 km away. This stage of the Camino follows delightful bubbling mountain brooks along the Ruta da Pedra e da Agua and consists of mostly natural pathways. The first 12 km is along one of the longest stretches of pathway in any Camino. After the stunning start stopping every few steps to take photos, our walk took us through villages, vineyards, pine and eucalyptus forests with the final few kilometers alongside golden sandy beaches. All of this made it a magical and most enjoyable walk, probably the most natural beauty of the entire Camino. In the early afternoon we encountered a small church and a few locals invited us in. The church, was built about 50 years ago by a group of volunteers for pilgrims. A member of the original group who built it was there, he is now 98 years old. One of the locals sang a song she composed about the natural beauty of the region and pilgrims. It was a very emotional and beautiful experience. We arrived at our destination tired but extremely joyful after experiencing a fabulous day. To add to our joy, our accomodation had a pool. We joined a group of 5/6 year olds who were enjoying a pool birthday party. While it wasn't a peaceful swim, it was definitely refreshing and welcomed by our weary feet.Baca lagi