Day 9: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães, Portugal
This was expected to be the rainiest and steepest day so far, and it did not disappoint.
We catch up with our friend Christina from Denmark at the first cafe and spend the day together. We all agreed it was better together to help get through the cold and wet. The trail goes from muddy to rocks and then the trail is the river. Siri tries out her newly purchased bright blue rain jacket thinking that the umbrella isn’t going to cut it today.
Another seasoned pilgrim who has done several Caminos states they today was the worst weather and trail of any he has done before. I take it as a sign that it can only get better.
We are staying in the same Albergue as Coco and his daughter. I meet his daughter over a hot cup of tea in the small kitchen and the conversation goes deep and personal quickly as is the case along the Camino. We talk about kids, parents, overseas experiences and how and where does one feel and call home. I ask her why she is on the Camino and she says, “Because my dad asked and he has never asked before, so I came. He is also getting older at 76. We have already had those deeper talks that wouldn’t happen if kids and spouses were along.” I nod in agreement.
Tomorrow is expected to be two or three times as much rain as today. Our trusty (?) weather app says it will be worse in the morning, so our current plan is to leave in the late morning. That sort of worked a few days ago, but that makes for a much later arrival as well.
This is also where many of the conversations go to as well, “What will the weather do? What
Siri and David Adventures 