And into Galicia

We started week 4 of our adventures travelling along the coastal road into Galicia.

Our first stop was the coastal resort of Barreiros

An area with magnificent coastal scenery, beautiful white sandy beaches and for surfers amazing waves.

And our venue tonight is a lovely small site across he road from the beach. Clean facilities and lovely shaded pitches. Plus a welcoming bar serving excellent local delights!

And the local robin popped in to say Halle or Ola!

Following a good nights rest we travelled south o the autovia Cantabria to Santiago de Compestella.

However for obvious reasons we had to stop a Foz!

The road rose steadily up through the mountains, mile after mile.

Amazingly we listened on the radio to the travel news of jams and closed lanes back home, but this road was free flowing mile after mile.

Our destination had become somewhat a passion having watchedTV celebs follow the Camino and passing over and across it since Bergerac actually going into the town to the end part of he pilgrimage was quite unexpectedly emotional.

From the edge of the old town first site of the cathedral.

The route is well signposted, but so many pilgrims it was not difficult to find the destination of the pilgrimage.

Watching pilgrims arrive in tears was a very special moment reflecting the significance religions still have in the lives of so many.

And a short 2km walk back to Dora.

On route I feel like popping into the local Carrefour only to find a hyper market. Fortunately the ever patient Kevin was waiting in the comfort of the campsite. Eventually I located the food, I had no need for beds, spare tyres and other household goods occupying half the store. So with my humble purchases of a bit of cake, cooked chicken and bread I innocently proceeded to the checkout. All was going well, until i came to pay with visa and was asked for ID. Unfortunately my passport was safe in Dora so I produced my camping club card as ID. Bizarrely it was accepted and i paid and left.

The rain arrived so the following morning we decided to head for sunny Portugal.

I have one task on the journey – a photo of the country border sign. Now when we went to Scotland my attempt was a disaster –

So the pressure was on as we entered Portugal.

Just in time Kevin wiped the windscreen

Phewwwwww!

And so we trundled south and into the sunshine.

We arrived early afternoon (clocks GMT so an hour earlier than Spain) and I decided to explore the beach. The tide was in and the sea too rough for me.

So I went a short walk to explore the local area.

The site is in a great position next to the beach and a boarded walkway provides access to the beach

Late afternoon the tide was out and the beach gorgeous. Rocks and rock pools, soft sand and gentle waves. So time for a gentle beach stroll.

Then back to Dora for dinner – and today’s visitor, not a robin but:

Feed me!!!

We awoke to blue skies.

And after breakfast did a bit of shopping and moved to a gorgeous site at Caminha. Technically one can swim from here to Spain!

Gorgeous site where we shall pass the weekend.

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon on the beach.

Fishing competition on the Atlantic coast

After a beautiful sunny day I went up onto the dunes to watch the sun set over the Atlantic

And then a lovely meal in the campsite bar

My favourite sea bass and red wine!

The following morning was warm and slightly overcast so great for exploring.

Around the campsite the EU has funded boardwalks to protect the dune ecology. Also woodland pathways to the next village.

My morning was spent exploring the vicinity of the campsite.

The afternoon was spent exploring the delightful village of Caminha

500 year old chapel

The village was quite a surprise as the exterior was surrounded by rather dull holiday rentals. But the village within the walls was a step into the past.

The village square being the centre of Sunday activities.