A CAMINO DECISION

Things have fallen into place so that I can walk a large part of the Camino Portugues. This is an alternate route to Santiago. Instead of the Northwest-to Northeast routes that go from France along the mountains and plains to Northern Spain, this route starts in Lisbon and heads due north through the upper half of Portugal into Spain.  Here’s a slide show someone recently posted followed by a map of the route.

http://www.caminodesantiago.org.uk/threads/camino-portugues-landscape-photos.4889/



I’ll be leaving in late October and walking for about 2 weeks. After I arrive and complete that route, I’ll head back to Lisbon to meet my wife and another couple for a much more leisurely boat cruise down the Duoro River , from Wetserrn Spain to the Atlantic and the city of Porto.

Here’s the cruise details:

http://www.vikingrivercruisescanada.com/cruise-destinations/europe/portugals-river-gold/2015-porto-pinhao-porto/index.html

It hardly needs saying that I am excited to join the path of thousands and thousands of other pilgrims who have criss-crossed that corner of Spain. I am equally thrilled and shaky at the prospect of doing this walk solo. I have never attempted anything as long or challenging, so this will mark a new part of my life-journey.

Yours , on the journey,                          
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn