Sharon thinks I’m mean is too nice. Today we set off for Caldás de Reis, 23 kilometers from Pontevedra. Caldás de Reis is known for its thermal spas, the waters consistently at 40 degrees Celsius, or a steamy 104 Farenheit. It was also the birthplace of King Alfonso VII in 1105, the son of Queen Urraca. Just the sound of ... Read More »
Our requisite “buenos días” as we pass locals on our Camino landed us in quite a conversation this morning. We were in Arcade, seven kilometers into our 18 kilometer day. She was headed uphill, maybe 80 years old, with a cane for support. She was well below five feet tall, spritely for one with a cane, with lively eyes. She stopped ... Read More »
We knew it would be a long day until we reached Redondela. We knew there would be a bit of a climb in the last few hours, just when the dogs were barking. We were prepared to enjoy the journey, and not be too focused on the destination. Recap for the day: roses galore, foxgloves, waterfalls, café con leche (not ... Read More »
…would love Tui, our starting point on the Camino Portugués. Locals here go up and down mountains hills with amazing speed, and seemingly without breaking a sweat. It is hard to complain about 200 stairs going up when an 80 year old woman is carrying three bags of groceries up them ahead of you. Tui, where the cathedral was first ... Read More »
Pre-Camino mandatory stop: Porto, Portugal, where you are greeted at the reception desk in your hotel with a glass of Port wine. Not a bad way to start a vacation pilgrimage! After some 16 hours en route, Porto greeted us with sun, smiles and lovely tannins. A quick nap at the elegant Hotel Park Atlantic, a shower, and we were ready ... Read More »
“I’m going on pilgrimage in May.” The response I get to that statement tends to be a wavering look of indecision, a momentary pause, and something aimed at not really offending. Except, of course, when I tell my Spanish-junkie friends. Then the response is more like “That is on MY bucket list!” or “I wish I was going too!” or ... Read More »
I offer up Exhibit #1, the Avocado Tool. I saw it advertised in a cooking magazine, and, well… I like avocados. I am fortunate to be the only one in the house who likes avocados, so I don’t have to share. And they CAN be messy. And how to remove that slippery pit? A genius true avocado aficionado must ... Read More »
When held snuggly in their mommy or daddy’s arms, they catch your gaze. They bury their heads in the parents’ shoulders. They glance back up and throw you a smile, even flutter some super-long eyelashes at you. Oh, they pull you in mercilessly. And when that baby, say your newest nephew, snug in the arms of your brother, finally reaches ... Read More »
Break bread together The greatest thing since sliced bread They go together like bread and butter I have been gluten free for three months. It ain’t really that hard, especially for someone like me who thinks lunch is the most over-rated meal of the day. I hate sandwiches. That might harken back to my mother’s economizing attempts, when we were ... Read More »
High waters we used to call them. Back in the day. Pants that expose your ankles, but were not purchased originally as capri pants. How is it that the older a woman gets, the shorter her pant legs get? Really – they’re not buying them that short, right? I kind of want to walk up to these women that I ... Read More »
Sauced In New York Sometimes the food is in the sauce, sometimes we are