How wonderful it was to wake up to clear blue skies this morning after yesterday’s continuous downpour !

Most people walk from here to Tui, just over the border in Spain. I’ve decided, however, to have one more night in Portugal and stay in Valença. But more of this later.

Most of today’s walking was through similar pretty countryside as the previous few days.

Much of the route follows the Via Romana XIX , and I passed over two ancient bridges.

The road as well as the bridges were constructed from massive stones .

It was so good not get have my phone get wet today, as I frequently pull it out of my pocket to check my maps as I so often miss turns. In fact I did it twice today and both times drivers stopped their cars to tell me!

I’ve found the Portuguese people to be very friendly and helpful. You always either get a ‘bom dia’ ( good day) from people you pass or get one back if you get in first. I’ve had many ‘bom caminhos’ along the way as well.

Portugal has a three colour system of recycling and you find everything from big roadside bins to small kitchen bins in these three colours.

A cascade.

I met a father and daughter walking with 2 dogs. They told me the mother has a car and the dogs only walk part of the way each day.

It wasn’t too long a walk today and after around 4 hours I entered urban area outside the massive citadel of Valença. I decided to stop here as the idea of staying in a village inside a fortress appealed to me.

In Portugal and Spain, shops selling cheap goods are called China shops.
Artwork outside the fortress walls.

The fortress, or rather two connected fortresses, was a Roman site. A well preserved Roman milestone is still standing inside the fortress.

The Portuguese King Sancho ordered a fortress to be built in the 13th century to protect against Spanish attack and it was further developed in later centuries.

You can see why the site was chosen as there is a commanding view over Tui across the river in Spain and the surrounding countryside.

These days, the town is a tourist destination and it seems to specialise in selling textile products. Maybe prices are cheaper than in Spain

I’ve got a 26km walk tomorrow to an isolated pilgrim albergue that doesn’t take bookings.

Confusing things is the fact that that Spain is in a different time zone, one hour ahead of Portugal. My phone has already locked into a signal from across the border and shows Spanish time. I’ll have to make an early start tomorrow to make sure I get a bed.

My Relive video for today ….

https://www.relive.com/view/v26MjwrKVEq