Strolling to Redondela

We left our Vigo hotel at 0940 and started on the clearly signed path out of town.

The first notable thing we saw is Vigo Guixar Station.

We got off the train here yesterday. A train which, had come through Redondela yesterday. We're not being very efficient at this.

After a couple of km of gentle climb, past churches, inner city suburban cafes full of people having a coffee and a chat with friends; we found this waymarker.

Last time we left Vigo, we missed it adding at least 2k to the day. That's more distance than needed and before a brutal climb out of the valley and onto minor roads.

Its 120m up in about 200m of horizontal distance.

People conquered Everest, I thought, we can get up this. And we did, but it wasn't any easier than last time.

Anyway, when you're up there, the views back over Vigo and the distant islands are exceptional.

At this point we bumped into two Americans from California. Our kind of people, and we stuck with them for the rest of the day as we negotiated all the same features as last time and a couple of new ones in including this optimistic sign.

And this showing the route of the Camino.

After a while, we started to come down almost as precipitously as the route up. As the walking poles helped me to drag myself up the infernal hill, they helped me go down more steadily.

This is the first Shrine of The Day

And, this is the second, just a few yards away with a bonus lizard.

Down into Redondela by about 1330. There's a cafe where all three Portugese Caminos meet. Its busy, but there are lots of tables outside. Its lovely to watch the flashes of optimism on the walkers' tired, drawn faces as they enter a town which holds a shower and their bed for the night.

Service was slower than usual because there was a group of about 20 lycra-clad Camionistas on e-Bikes who had monopolised the kitchen.

Four beers, four waters, a pizza and a tortilla later, the bill came and we split it with the Californians.

We left the Americans a couple of doors away down our street and found our flat. Which has a washing machine and a drier!

It's also got stairs that are steep and not well protected, but the bathroom and sleeping platform are on the same level, which is good.

The washing machine is on, and were thinking about tea (well I am).

Tomorrow is a short 6 km hop to Arcade.