Portugal
Vitorino Dos Piães

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    • Day 8

      CP Day 5 Ponte de Lima

      September 14 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

      So sorry for not posting until now. It’s been kinda hectic these past couple of days as my body adjusts to the grind and exhilaration of daily walking on the Camino.

      I injured myself yesterday in the most ridiculous way possible: doing an agility exercise that Bill had mentioned earlier in the day. Silly me. When the fellow pilgrims at Casa Fernada saw me limping, they offered my Tylenol and muscle relaxers. This is the beauty of the Camino: you see someone in need and offer help.

      Happy to say that their remedies worked, and I was able to walk the full 9 miles today with no pain!

      I’ll try and post some pics from today’s lovely walk, and will try and catch up from the past few days later on. Xo
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    • Day 5–6

      Ponte de Lima

      April 17 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

      Another glorious day. I lead our morning devotional and prayer time which I got to do on the patio overlooking the mountains. God is so good. Another perfect blue sky, fields of calla lily’s , trumpet lily’s, wisteria, honeysuckle— all in major bloom
      as they just had a lot of rain before we came. We spend the first hour in silence. I spent the first two in silence praying over my prayer list. So many to pray for. Also had a praise music sing along and little Broadway walk/sing by myself. I love walking by myself in the sun through the beautiful scenery listening to my favorite broadway tunes and singing out loud. Pure joy. 12.5 miles today. Tomorrow will be our most difficult day. 15 miles and a lot uphill. Listening to the new Anne Lamott book which I’m savoring. Love this crew. Night night.
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    • Day 9

      Von Barcelos nach Vitorino dos Piães

      September 24 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

      Es regnet. Wer hätte das gedacht. Wir haben aufgrund der ruhigen Nacht aber gute Laune, ziehen unsere Regensachen an und starten die heutige Etappe. Bekanntlich gibt es ja kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung. Kilometer für Kilometer legen wir im Regen zurück und machen zwei kleine Pausen in Cafés. Eine Stunde bevor wir ankommen, hört es auch zu regnen auf und die Landschaft erstrahlt in einem satten Grün. Nach 20 gewanderten Kilometern schlafen wir heute im Pilgerlandhaus Casa Rural O Estábulo de Valinhas. Es gibt ein Doppelzimmer, eine warme Dusche und sogar eine Hängematte. Abends sitzen wir beim gemeinsamen Pilgeressen gemütlich mit den anderen Pilgern zusammen und lassen den Tag ausklingen. Ein bisschen Vino gibt es auch. Was will man mehr?Read more

    • Day 8

      Casa Sagres Hostel

      June 26, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

      Today was a beautiful 16 mile walk. However, whoever said the Portuguese Camino was mostly flat lied! 🤣 Today we walked many hills, past vineyards, farmlands and small towns. There were gifts for the Perigrinos on the side of the road like plums, water and even beer! Many more fountains too! We found there to be far fewer cafes or markets, though. My favorite stop was by an old Roman bridge. It was a beautiful water pool where we dipped our hot swollen feet for a while! I discovered I had the beginnings of a blister on my big toe and was able to bandage it up before it got bad. We are at Casa Sagres Hostel tonight. It’s 28 euros for a bed (top bunks only available), dinner and breakfast!Read more

    • Day 24

      Casa Da Fernanda

      April 8 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

      Weather wise, the day was up and down. If I put on my poncho the sun would come out. If I put it away, the rain would pour. A japanese lady named Takei and myself, walked a long day of 29 km's, to make sure that we would stay at Casa Fernada tonight. One of the best albergues on the camino. Look it up on youtube. I have a great bed on an outdoor porch, overlooking the garden. Dinner for us 15 pilgrims was outstanding. Then they brought out the port and the guitar. What a night. I have to sign off before I pass out. Check out the pics and video!Read more

    • Hike Day 4 - Barcelos to Fernanda

      September 24 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

      In our Camino “triathlon” today was the water event. We gathered for a nourishing gourmet breakfast close to last night’s hostel and not even the light rain dampened our spirits.

      There is a saying, “The Camino provides”.  Marian Yoder read us a friend’s post from Psalm 121 telling us that the Lord would look over our coming and going and would keep us from harm.
      
      This proved true in so many regards. While the rain that steadily increased until 1pm deprieved us of the opportunity to linger over stunning views, it focused our attention on things we might have otherwise overlooked—shimmery Eucalyptus leaves, leafy ferns on the forest floor, pink day lilies popping up in the strangest places, prickly pear cactus, perfect creamy calla lilies,  and dogs that begged to tag along.

      We were more attuned to the barking of dogs and the crowing of roosters.  As our 14 miles wore on and the body cried for rest,  we were more aware of the ever changing terrain under our feet and the infinite ways cobblestones can be laid.

      Marian Yoder and Debbie Mink took the lead at one point. Marian Caroselli was usually behind taking photos and Dale had chosen a slower pace today. Before we knew it,our two leaders were out of sight having taken a different fork in the road than Dale and Marian C.  The next hour or so proved stressful for Dale and Marian C as they tried to communicate with the others and decide the best course of action. While stopping to “refuel “ , within 10 minutes Marian Y and Debbie walked in declaring their adventure the best part of the trip to date. They walked with peregrinos from  Milan, Texas, CA and Missouri who took them under their wing. Dale joking offered to provide a Best Practices lesson to ensure we are all on the same page in the future regarding signage and communication..

      Dale kept the troops motivated for the final 2 miles of the trip by telling us he was sure our hostel was just a quarter mile away.  That’s some quarter mile, Dale.

      As we reached Casa Fernanda, the exhale was audible. We settled in with introductions and wine. Fernanda calls everyone by their country name. We had Canada, Columbia, South Africa, Denmark and US.  We loved learning about health care, immigration and education in other countries. We continue to be shocked by the number of people who know that Pennsylvania has a pivotal role in the upcoming election.

      Our dinner was amazing and there was something for every palate and dietary need. Impromptu entertainment followed when our host produced a guitar.

      Fernanda exhibits such warmth and hospitality.  Our short stay at this true hostel is exceeding our expectations in every regard.

      More rain tomorrow and the next day but no more Casa Fernanda.

      Today’s post by Marian Coroselli.
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    • Day 11

      Camino, Day 1 - Casa de Fernandas

      September 9 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

      Camino, day 1.
      31,120 steps... 20.58 kms... made it to the much regarded Casa Fernandas... greeted with snacks, wine, and applause! This is a fun hostel... book early if you want to get in! Fernanda is a wonderful host.... Karina, from Germany, coined the phrase 'no vino, no camino'... so how could we resist a cup. it's a great social event! (and we're laying low because we're exhausted!).Read more

    • Day 12–13

      Camino, day 2 - Ponte de Lima

      September 10 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

      Camino day 2
      # of blisters: 3
      # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
      # of times figs falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 1
      21 004 steps.... 14.073 kms today
      we've met some fabulous people-and only 2 days in! Today, we walked mostly through fields - grape, corn, and small villages... I think only one cafe the whole way. A lovely and peaceful day on the trail. We encountered many small alters along the way, and kind folk offering fruit. Tomorrow is a tough uphill slog - I think the hardest day we will have... so no vino tonight! Early to bed and lots of foot care! Still in love with Portugal 💙 Bom Camino!Read more

    • Day 6

      Day 6 Vitorino dos Piaes to Ponte dLima

      Yesterday in Portugal ⋅ 🌫 21 °C

      יצאנו הבוקר מאכסנייה נעימה עם חברים טובים לדרך, הליכה יפיפייה בגשם בלתי פוסק.
      הגענו בשעות הצהריים בעיר היפה Ponto de Lima. עשינו סיבוב הכרות, אחר הצהריים עם חברים ומצאנו לנו דירה חמודה לישון בה.
      ערב השנה החדשה חושבים על כל אהובנו ומאחלים לכולם שנה מבורכת.
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    • Day 11

      Day 11: 100% Rain

      Yesterday in Portugal ⋅ 🌫 20 °C

      Barcelos - Lugar de Corgo

      27.5k👣 42Z

      Up at 6:30am to be ready with bags pack for pick up by 8
      Breakfast at 7:30: lovely buffet with rolls, muffins, cake (!!), yogurt, slices of ham & cheese, slices of melon, kiwi, and oranges, along with coffee
      Joe absconded with a muffin in his napkin - it was delicious at lunchtime!
      Got the number of a taxi just in case
      Headed out in to the rain
      A local helped us find the Camino in town
      Sore feet, stiff hips, full heart
      More vineyards and cornfields along the cobblestone path
      To the tune of "Clang, Clang , Clang Went the Trolley:"
      Squash, squish, squish went my sneakers.
      Vroom, vroom, vroom went the cars.
      On our way to Santiago.
      Bom Caminho, wherever you are!

      Left the old town to large apartment buildings into more retail and residential areas
      Greeted 2 mail carriers on motorbikes. One asked what my piles were for. In whatever Portuguese I could pull up, I said I used them to go up steep (high), but since the way was all roads here, I didn't really need them. With that, they wished us a Bom Caminho and putted off.
      Cobblestone, cobblestone, and more cobblestone. Appreciated having Compeed on my heel to prevent the "meat tenderized" effect of cobblestones
      Came to a decision: shorter, but cobblestones (so less traffic), OR
      longer on asphalt with more cars. We chose cobblestones.

      Climbed a hill to a fancy restaurant. Popped our heads in to see if they were open to use their bathroom. They weren't, and we didn't. Only a km up the road they promised. With Joe's upset stomach, that was NOT what we wanted to hear.

      But we persevered and finally found the WC at a beautiful church with a large covered open area in front. Lunched on leftovers there with Tony and Helen, 2 Aussies with great attitudes. Tony was packing his mandolin and guitar inside his backpack! Told him about our concert on 19 Oct; maybe we'll see him there.

      Fueled after a WC stop & lunch
      After some movement, Joe's GI started hollering. Luckily, we found an albergue called Casa de Santiago. The host understood completely, and Joe was feeling better after using the restroom. The host said it was still 10 km to go. When I countered that I believed it was 8km, she waggled her head: maybe 8, maybe 8-10, but maybe 10. Uh oh.
      We found a home goods store (like Home Depot) after a km or so, and decided to ask there for help calling a taxi. At 3:30 and another 8 km to go, we just decided getting in with time to clean up was more important than walking, and since I was beginning to limp with very short steps, it seemed like the smart thing to do.
      After finding no Bolts and then no Ubers in the area, I tried to call a taxi service BUT was reminded I'd only gotten data, not phone minutes on my eSIM. We went into the nearby Home Depot and got a young clerk's help in ordering a taxi from Barcelos
      What we had walked between 9 - 3:30, the taxi was able to do in 15 min !!! And 10 min after that, we were at Casa de Fernanda.

      Fernanda is a force of nature. With her husband Jacinto, they offered freshly made hors d'oeuvres (fritters and grilled peppers - only 1 in 10 is spicy 🤪), a full dinner (soup, bread, roast chicken, veggies, rice & beans, white and red wine, with port and chocolate biscuits for dessert), followed by "fire water" !!! more port and wide-ranging conversation. Food production to health care to social understanding in Japanese society, we were all over the place.

      More to share tomorrow. Suffice it to say it was WONDERFUL.

      Taking tomorrow off to let toes heal a bit.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Vitorino Dos Piães, Vitorino Dos Piaes

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