“All journeys have secret destinations of which the Traveller is unaware!” Martin Buber
Day 5 – 23 June – Rubiaes to Tui (Spain)
Total kms to date: 149 kms (excluding other walking)
Lizards seen: 38 (slow day)
Snakes seen: 4 (3 small and 2 big – all dead bar the one today, scary)
Pilgrims seen: 8
G&T’s to date: 57
Mojitos: 3 (unchanged)
Wine: still not counting
Above, me and Anne from Ireland. We walked together today. Sometimes close sometimes far apart, but we walked into Tui together.
Another beautiful day on The Camino with mostly country roads. Hot hot hot by 10h30. We left at 6am and still only got to Tui after 13h00. 20kms is not what it seems on The Camino. Always longer, further and hotter. Left with Anne from Ireland and finished with her too. As much as i wanted my last day on my own, I really appreciated the company today. It worked well, sometimes we chatted, sometimes she was ahead of me, sometimes behind me. Anne is 64, she has five children and 10 grandchildren. She is so lovely, so energetic and so positive.
Anne and i stopped for a coffee and Pasteis de nata at some point, and as we walked through the woods together, suddenly I saw a snake. A real, live, horrible at least one meter long snake. We both jumped, she tried to take a phot, and the snake suddenly moved, we both jumped and ran away in terror. No pic.
Beautiful walk again today, albeit hot. Below a selection of pics. I was sure to look out for purple even more today. Kept hearing the Alice Walker quote in my head.
At some point Anne and I me a woman stamping pilgrim passports and selling fruit and lemonade to pilgrims. It was lovely, she kept trying to talk to us through a google app. She’d say something in Spanish and the app would translate, sometimes accurately sometimes weird. A lovely thought though.
We crossed over into Spain today across Ponte International. Weird to be leaving Portugal so soon.
Gifts today; the lady selling lemonade at 12kms; a beautiful breakfast laid out for us at 5h30 am by Fernando this morning; Anne walking with me today, such an inspiration.
Tomorrow a rest day, and Sarah joins me for a 33km walk on Monday.
Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago 
your photos are fantastic and inspiring. still concerned G & T 57 – how on earth am I going to match that one? can’t stand one – if I ever join you – sparkling water for me. Lovely to see the selfies – keep them coming. You are also looking absolutley fantastic – checked out the Namibia camino – you have to ptich your own tent. Not exciting for me. Have a blessed Sunday, and enjoy the rest. Sending Angels to watch over you.love and hugs too.
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Oh my word. It’s meant to say 7! Tent pitching not for me! No I have the next Camino in mind and you need to start your practices
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Hee hee! I also broke down the 57 GnTs per days … put it down to the heat! Either way – glad to see you are enjoying! Not sure how you do it! I have recently started hiking and although I love the distance … I am finished the next day! Not sure how you get over 20Kms per day done! Inspirational Steph! Much love from a not so warm SA!
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Lovely seeing the crown again ! Beautiful photos. Mum and AD send love to you and Sarah.
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Sarah has left..Nanette and I chilling in Porto. We did the historic bus tour today, drank too much port and looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and the 4 musketeers will be united for the Camino x
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Hahahaha I would have paid for that snake moment!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 You5r days sound spectacular my Steph! And your photography is now a talent!
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