A couple of days ago we reached Spain. We crossed the road and rail bridge over the Rio Minho between Valença (Portugal) and Tui (Spain) and as well as changing country we also changed time zones, Spain is in Central European time while Portugal is and hour earlier (Western European Time).

Tui Cathedral dating from 1120

Tui marks the start of the last 100 plus kilometers to Santiago. Pilgrims need to walk at least 100km to receive a Compostela (certificate) so Tui marks the start of the Camino for many pilgrims and the point where the trail becomes rather crowded.

The up side of this is lots of new people to meet along the way. We have an American family of seven, mum and dad and 5 children ranging in age from 5 to 18. A baby just 6 months old, with her parents, couples, students, retirees people of all ages, from all continents and all walks of life bound together by their joint endeavor, to reach the city of Santiago.

The Camino is like a little mobile community, most pilgrims are covering similar distances and overnight in the same or nearby albergue, so we bump into each other at cafes, restaurants and albergue. If you are eating dinner and you see another pilgrim eating alone it is customary to invite them to join you and so our merry little pilgrim band grows and grows.

Vegan dessert at the pilgrim cafe in Tui (it would be rude not to!)