Day 7 Valença

Thursday 1st May 2025

It’s stopped raining so we take a look around the fortified part of Vila Nova de Cerveira. It’s quite large and intact and has part of a wall walk still in place. Which we do as we love a wall walk! Sadly there is nothing going on inside anymore. There are small houses, a restaurant and a chapel but all look long abandoned. It seems such a shame but I guess not enough people to make it worthwhile. On the last picture you can see the roof of our little house with the velux window. It an hour later than we normally we off, do better get on!

The official Camino signs go cross country to Valenca but Brierley shows the walk by the river all the way. That seems like a good idea do we bother way and arent disappointed. The path is a cycle path, it is in good condition and flat. The kms fly past, and no cobblestones!!! This bridge as we leave town is the first one over to Spain.

We have t seen many pilgrims but lots of people in bikes. About hakf way we come across a very welcome cafe and find a tour group of pilgrims. But in general it’s very quiet, I guess everyone is taking the marked way. The path is very close to the river, dangerously so in some places!! Here some big rocks have been put in place so no one falls in and Tobin decides he will start a pike of Camino stones. I wonder if other people will build on them?

A stork!! Actually there are lots in Spain and Portugal but they are so rare in the uk they we get overexcited about it! Last night and today we have seen a lot of yellow broom, on doors, windows and cars. I make a guess that it is to ward off evil spirits and find later that I am correct. You put the broom in the food or window before midnight on 30th April to ward off evil spirits as today is May Day! Which also explained why there were so many people around, it’s a public holiday!! Valenca is a fortified town, two joined wall structures in two hills overlooking the river to Spain! It is magnificent. The walls are all intact, the streets are buzzing, what a great place!