Monday 18th April

22km (464 km)

Passport pictures from the Camino

Last night I couldn’t sleep due to concerns about replacing my passport. I have a trip to Lanzarote in May. I only found out on my way to Portugal that I needed a new passport. It had to be within 10 years of the date of issue. Not the expiry date! This morning I managed to explain to the receptionist that I needed her to take some passport-type photos of me. She obliged but I am really hoping she didn’t get my best angle as I look about 90! Anyway, it looks like all is well. I have an appointment for the fast-track new one when I return from Santiago. I just have to live with the awful photo for another 10 years, although they say the camera never lies…

Late starts and lots of pilgrims

The humming and ha-ing this morning slowed me down somewhat. Not knowing whether to wait until the shops maybe opened on Easter Monday or indeed wondering whether I should high tail it to Santiago and go home meant that by the time I’d decided to just keep going it was around 9 am…2 hours later than my normal start.

Trickle of pilgrims

There was a constant trickle of late-leaving Pontevedra pilgrims and the walk was fairly unremarkable but enjoyable nonetheless. I was on my own for most of the time apart from when I arrived at a café. Finding it full of ‘pilgrims’ with no tables and a huge queue for food and drink… Joining the queue seemed the only option as there had been no breakfast stop today. Sitting outside in the cold with everyone else, willing the threatening skies to stay just that was my only option! I spoke to some Irish pilgrims whom I had met en route. One asked me what I thought of Scottish independence. His wife said my response was fighting talk! I left thinking I could do without local politics for the time being and continued on my way.

Where are all the other walkers?

I am not sure what happened to all the walkers because I saw none until I arrived in Caldas de Reis. I’m staying in a €33 a night hotel tonight. I just had a great paella and some wine…good things don’t need to cost the earth :). Caldas de Reis is a town renowned for its thermal pools. It is cold and rainy outside, though, so today I’m not venturing out to do any sightseeing!