REFLECTIONS AND REALITY

Day 18
ESPOSENDE - VIANA DO CASTELO

Our latest start in a while as breakfast was only served from 7.30am.

We are still getting used to the volume of pilgrims doing this route from Porto versus the 1st leg we did from Lisbon, where we sometimes days went by without us seeing another soul. This is a proverbial ant trail of pilgrims to Santiago!!

LOTS of cobbles and hard uneven surfaces today took its toll on our weary feet and the only cool and soft respite was a wonderful and serene section of forest which we took time out to rest in. It’s been such a driven and focused pace we have set over the last 18 days that moments like these where we take time to reflect on the magic of forests to renew ones energy levels are embraced. It also positively affirms that our Trekkin4Trees mission is absolutely the right one!!

We are 66% of the way to our target, so any contributions would be greatly appreciated!! Don’t forget the tax benefit !!

So, back to the day ....
Our procession through towns revealed some beautiful, if not incredibly similar churches. This is a devoutly religious Catholic countryside, and even the odd conifer was seen to be trimmed into a cross at the top!

Every, well almost, local makes the effort to Bom Dia or Bom Caminho you as you pass and it’s such a special feeling one gets from these friendly people.

Looking down to our beautiful destination of Viana do Castelo, we appreciated what a magnificent town this is from afar. After crossing the two floored Eiffel Bridge over the Lima River which was built in 1878, and just over 1/2 kilometer long we soon discovered that the city certainly does not disappoint up close, and is easily one of the most beautiful towns we have visited so far.

End of day gratefully accepted 🙏🌳🌍