Day 9: Ponte de Lima to Rubiaes

I was only able to walk about 4.5 km today, then I took a taxi about 10 km. There’s a fairly steep ascent between Ponte de Lima and Rubiaes, and my shin injury is still too bad for a strenuous walk. My right leg is feeling fine, but my left lower shin is still very swollen and bruised. I am very aware that I may not be able to finish this Camino if my leg doesn’t get better, so I’m doing everything I can to take care of it right now. I’m still hopeful that I’ll be able to keep going through Spain, where I will be tomorrow!

Part of today’s walk was on the old Roman road, which dates from the 2nd century. This is such a beautiful area in northern Portugal. I really hate to leave this place!

I had a nice surprise this afternoon. I’m staying in a wonderful albergue called Ninho~A Pilgrim’s Nest (€25 for private room w/ shared bath, breakfast included). While I was relaxing at the albergue, the young German couple I met at Ferdinanda’s showed up. I was so happy to see them! We had dinner together, good food and good conversation. They are a cool young couple with a positive outlook on life, very smart and astute about the world. Of course, they remind me of my own kids and their cool friends. It’s good to be with young people!
Tomorrow I will see how my leg is doing. I will most likely take a taxi part of the way, but I really want to walk across the river from Portugal to Spain, so hopefully that will happen. Even though I couldn’t walk the whole way today, it was still a good journey. 😊Læs mere