The SimplePilgrim: Walking the Camino Backwards!

The journey from here in Ponte to Lima, to our next hotel at Cossourado Pecene is long at 14 miles, and also involves a steep climb. With my feet in the condition that they are, instead of having a rest day today, we took a taxi 5 miles into the journey, and walked back to Ponte de Lima. Although we managed, we had not thought about the fact that all our yellow direction signs are orientated in the other direction! There were a few places where it was difficult to work out which way to go. Our Lady, however, came to our rescue, as the blue signs to Fatima, were facing the right way round for our journey!

Walking "backwards" gives you a good insight as to how many people are actually walking this route. The Confraternity of St. James released figures from last year, indicating that 260,000 pilgrims had travelled to Santiago last year, with most on the Camino Frances, and 20% on this route. On that basis, I would certainly not want to walk the Camino Frances at the height of the season!

The start of out walk at Revolta. You can see the yellow Camino direction arrow on the road. The route is well marked.

The route was really beautiful today, with lovely woodland walks to start with.

Camino through the woods, and over the stone path

Camino winding it's way through the woods.

Grape vines with view of the mountains around us.

Later as we reached the floor of the valley, we saw more fields with grape vines, but also some long distance views of our route up the mountain tomorrow.

We had a bit of a shock when we arrived back in the town, as being Sunday, we expected everything to be quiet. Instead we were greeted by music everywhere and even a parade with loud drums and trumpets. The quiet avenue had also been transformed into a street market. I think the photos will tell the story better than I can!