Martin M. Miles' photos

A glimpse of the sea on a very rainy day near Arcade.

Redondela has lots of things to offer. Two giant railroad-bridges cross the town. This one finished in 1876, the second one in 1884. Hightech of the 19th century! An "Albergue de Peregrinos" in the "Casa da Torre" an historic renaissance-building, a 15th century parish-church (open in the evenings) - and the "Nautilus" a formidable but affordable restaurant, where I found the advise of Emilio and Fernando, two spanish gentlemen, - and so had - thanks to them - a remarkable dinner.

There are many "cruceiros" along the way. Near the village of Mos old and modern times met and mixed perfectly. The scene reminded me of Lenin´s sentence "Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country."

What the worldfamous "Flat Iron Building" is for Manhattan is this building for O Porriño. Here is the Grand Cousin: www.flickr.com/photos/25830962@N06/3781497151/

Over more than two hours all walkers admire the picturesque and smelly industrial area of O Porriño. Lots of granite slabs are produced - and thousands french cars are stored here.

I had the impression, that the restaurant upstairs closed already some decades ago, Rooms were still offered.

The gothic cloister of the cathedral in Tui is a very quiet place.

Legends tell that St. James preached here. The town had a bishop's see as early as 5th century and developed well. Within the 10th/11th century it was raided by Vikings and Maurs, so it is no wonder, that the "Catedral de Santa Maria" in Tui (Tuy) seems to be a fortresse still today. The church was consecrated 1225 and is a mixture between romanesque and gothic style.

Standing on the "International Bridge". The Rio Minho is the border between Portugal an Spain. Tui, the "first" town in Spain is clearly dominated by the cathedral on the hill.

Sunshine over the fortifications of Valença (Portugal) in the foreground and Tui (Spain) in the background. Inbetween flows the Rio Minho, crossed be the "International Bridge", a steel construction from 1878.

Most inhabitants of Valença now live on the south side of the old town on the hill in highrising, unattractive buildings grown up within the last 10-20 years.

Valença even today seems to be more a fortress, than a town. The knoll, on which the town was built rises up from the Rio Minho, the border between Portugal and Spain. The town is surrounded by a massive fortification using many ramparts. It took about a century, to build up all this and what it is seen today is the state of 1713, when the works finally finished.

The old roman road, that was constructed around 100 aC, runs from (today) Braga to (today) Ourense. In Rubiães the roman engineers left this bridge over the little stream. It is still in use.

The portal of the little church has an unsusal feature. The middle columns right and left are fully carved figures. This is often seen at romanesque (and gothic) cathedrals, but I never found that at such a small "chapel". Maybe they are Archangle Gabriel (left) and Virgin Mary (right), at least that is, what the sign told me. The church is placed directly on the old roman road, which later (and today again) was used as "caminho" to Santiago. Unfortunately it was locked, like most churches in Portugal and Spain.

Rubiães is more than just one of the many hamlets along the way. There is a clean and nice "alberge", a bar and restaurant - and the "Igreja de São Pedro" - a romanesque church with some later addons. Surounded by old graves and (right) a roman milestone.

Walking the "Camhino Portugues" means "Follow the yellow arrow". That is not specific for this, all other routes e.g. the "Camino Francés" have the same yellow arrow. Here it is painted on a rock in the middle of the track crossing a mountain ridge.

Early morning in early May. Mist still all around in the hills. The Camhino Portugues leads through many small and very small villages. And through many vineyards, where it is quite easy to bump or scratch your head from time to time, if you are taller than 1,80m.

This is, what the small town got the name from - the "Ponte de Lima". The bridge over the river Lima is much older than the town itself. I was told, that Portugal has the most "antique bridges" of all countries in Europe - and this is one of them, even one of the really big ones, crossing the river in 16 arches. The Romans built the first bridge here around 100aC and the foundations of the bridge, we can walk over today - are still the original ones.