Day 15 Chaves to Vilarelho

Today started with a list to the church which opened nice and early. It was well worth it.

What was most noteworthy was the Doom painting above the chancel arch. I have never seen a tiled Doom before.

Tiled Doom

The walk to the border was very straightforward on a beautiful blue sky day. At times one literally walks one field away from the border with Spain.

The shrine at Vila Mea

Finally back to the town where I had started the last third of the Portugues Interior two years ago.

Last town before Spain

And finally back to the last watering hole on the Portuguese border, the Social Centre at Vilarelho da Raia. Nice to see people inside already getting hammered before mid-day.

Social Club

The Spanish Portuguese border. Yet again, it's amusing to think that Germany once tried to have this border "closed".

The PortugalSpain border

Lunch was convivial and as good as ever at Bar Celso across the border. A Spanish cat decided to make himself at home at my table.

So time to go - back into powered transport and into Santiago. Time to collect the Compostela and then to attend Pilgrim Mass. To my delight, German friends from past caminos joined me and we watched the botafumeiro perform its magic once again.

Botafumeiro

Another pilgrimage completed. But so many more are calling.

Love,

Nick

A Pilgrim