Camino Chronicles: Days 8-10

Mish
Jun 15
3 min read

Updated: Jun 25

Octopus, Shin Splints & Sunny Sips

By now, the Camino had become a rhythm. Wake. Walk. Eat. Repeat. We’d started to trust our legs, our gear, and even our dodgy Spanish. But with all good adventures, there’s always a twist, and for us, it came in the form of shin splints, roadside octopus, and a very enthusiastic discovery called Tinto de Verano.

Day 8: O Porriño to Redondela - 15km

We crossed into Spain on Day 7, and it was already obvious, the towns felt different, the signs were now in Galician, and the tapas game had seriously stepped up.

Our walk to Redondela was gentle and green, with shady paths winding through forests and tiny villages. We stayed at A Marisma Hostal, which felt more like a boutique hotel than a pilgrim stop, private rooms, stylish finishes, and hot showers. Bliss.

Dinner that night was at As Termas, a local spot with hearty portions and a warm vibe. After days of grilled octopus (no complaints), we finally branched out… but somehow still ended up ordering grilled octopus as a side.

Day 9: Redondela to Pontevedra - 18km (sort of)

This was the day our Camino cracked a little — Ash developed shin splints and just couldn’t walk. So, we adjusted. He caught a bus ahead to Pontevedra, and the rest of us carried on by foot.

It was hard leaving him behind, the first time we hadn’t walked as a group. But that’s the thing about the Camino: it teaches you to go with it. You’re not always in control, and that’s okay.

The silver lining? When we arrived in Pontevedra, Ash had already found the best bakery and scoped out an incredible old town square where we sat in the sun, reunited and restored. We stayed at Alojamientos Turísticos Morriña Atlántica, which had a central location and comfy beds (thankfully, our feet were done).

Day 10: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis - 21km

Ash took the bus ahead again this day to rest his legs, which meant he arrived early in Caldas de Reis, found us a sunny terrace, and discovered a Spanish drink we’d never heard of but would go on to order endlessly: Tinto de Verano. Red wine, lemonade, ice, basically, summer in a glass.

The rest of us walked through rolling farmland and eucalyptus groves. The scent of wildflowers and the faint sound of cowbells were our constant companions. It was a long day, but the gentle terrain helped.

By the time we arrived, Ash was living his best life; legs up, sunglasses on, drink in hand. We joined him and toasted another 20km behind us.

That night we ate simply, stayed locally, and soaked our tired feet in cool water. We were well past the halfway point, tired, sore, and somehow more in love with this strange walking holiday than ever before.

These three days brought a little bit of everything, aches, laughter, new drinks, and some unforgettable moments. From surprise tapas in O Porriño to market-side octopus in Redondela and an emotional pause in Pontevedra, this stretch of the Camino reminded us to slow down and savour the journey, even when our feet were screaming. But thats Camino Portuguese

Next up? We’re closing in on Santiago. The Galician sun turns up the heat, Ash meets his cocktail soulmate (hello, Tinto de Verano), and we uncover one of our favourite stays in a medieval-looking town straight out of a fairytale.

👉 Catch up on the journey so far: