Day 8 – 19.1 km (11.8 miles)
¡Hola from Spain! We’ve hit the halfway mark!
Feeling surprisingly great today despite the sore feet and tight calves. The pool soak yesterday did wonders. Thankfully, the route was flatter, sparing us from mountain climbs. The persistent cobblestones and tricky river stones gave us a run for our money, though—few slips and near ankle-turns were part of the adventure.
We stopped to buy various handmade empanada-type-things from a nice Russian lady selling the wares out of her car. And then about a mile down the road we were greeting, in English, by a college kid collecting donations for college in exchange for cake and coffee. We chatted with him for a bit before we headed on down the road.
We strolled through picturesque paths with trees and small Roman bridges. Valença was our pit stop, the final Portuguese town before crossing into Spain. We explored Fortaleza de Valença, a medieval fortress standing guard since the late 13th century. The views were breathtaking, and the historical vibe was awe-inspiring. And yes, Julie pulled off a headstand amidst the historical backdrop!
Post-fortress exploration, we crossed the bridge into Spain. Michelle clung to the railing for dear life, but we all made it across. The first pub we spotted happened to be Irish, so we had a well-deserved beer there. Our hostel is a gem, and it’s just us—perfect for airing out our travel-worn clothes on the sunny patio.
Now, time for Tapas and Sangria. Buen provecho! 🍷
Post Script: EXCELLENT dinner. We had the best time with the woman at the restaurant. She was very friendly and kept us entertained the whole night. A Muralla, is the name of the restaurant with amazing views.
Day 9 – 16.1 km (10 miles)
Well….today was not our favorite day. It started off great with a beautiful sunrise, a lovely path, and a bagpiper. Then, the scenic route was closed and we had to take the industrial path. 😡 In the sun, along a busy road with semis, or lorries, and nothing pretty to look at. That last 4 miles SUCKED.
But, some good news in all this! Michelle’s son and daughter-in-law just welcomed a daughter to the world! Very exciting for her family! But, I’m not happy that we are old enough to be grandmothers. 😤😡🤬😭
Sadly….today is Julie’s last day with us. We will miss her so much. It won’t be the same without her. 😢 We love you, Julie.
