Day 11 - 24.71 km Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis Thurs. Sept 27

Hola - today we walked 10.1 km in the crisp cool air before we stopped for coffee and something to eat (this was not really planned that way - but it worked out well). The coffee was perfect and the bocadillo made with fresh bread, cheese and ham or bacon (freshly fried) was delicious and really hit the spot. They serve the bread/sandwiches just plain - no butter (mantequilla), mustard, mayo or anything else, just plain - and it tastes amazing. The journey today took us along many vineyards and more farming communities. Many of the folk were busy harvesting their grapes - several different kinds (green, small dark blue ones and purple) - all tasted like grapes should taste - full of flavour! We stopped at this one place for a quick break and found the owner crushing grapes in a large vat. He offered Gerry an opportunity to crush some of them with this plunger-like device, Gerry obliged. The owner then offered us some juice from the freshly squeezed grapes - it beats Welch's grape juice by a landslide, so delicious. We purchased some of his wine and will taste it tomorrow. The trails are getting busier with many more pilgrims on the Camino heading to Santiago. We met a group from France, Germany, Balitmore and even Edmonton. It gave us great pleasure to pass the gentlemen from Edmonton! We had found that the most prominent country represented on this Camino is CANADA!!! We have met quite a few fellow Albertans and people from Ontario and Quebec. In Caldas de Reis, we saw a bridge built by the Romans - with a small creek running under it. It was cool to see the rock structure and that it was still standing and being used. We found an eating place beside the bridge and once again enjoyed a delicious meal. The tomatoes and lettuce in the salad were freshly picked and was served plain - so tasty. One place where we stopped for a beverage as we entered town - served us wine in bowl (like a small cereal bowl) - something new and different. We enjoyed several bowls - it was local wine - very good. It was a super day - we arrived into the community by 1:00 pm, so had plenty of time to relax, tour the community and dine. We only have two more days of walking until we are in Santiago - we are hoping that our hiking shoes last and our blisters and achy body parts hang in there!!! Buenas Noches