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It’s the Ponte do Sebastião between Esposende and Viana do Castelo. It’s nearly 12km past Esposende on the ‘inland’ coastal route, not the Senda Litoral.Hi All!
In my post above i said there was nothing really bad on the Coastal but can someone post exactly where this little bridge is as I really had issue with the stretch through the woods along the river before the bridge big drops in the path like 60cm had to go on my bum again; i think it would be worth noting for Chris!
Thanks Woody
Ah, I remember that bridge from 2017.. and sitting in the centre of it dangling my legs for a very long time, but I was trying to remember where exactly.. and I thought it was further north, thank you!It’s the Ponte do Sebastião between Esposende and Viana do Castelo. It’s nearly 12km past Esposende on the ‘inland’ coastal route, not the Senda Litoral.
That was the whole point of doing the Coastal it seemed infinitely more doable because of the walking surfaces.Having walked both the coastal and the central, I'd think the coastal would be the best for someone with sight difficulties. Especially the parts where you can take the literal, with a lot of boardwalk. The central has more stone sets and cobble stones and ups and downs. The stone sets in particular get slippery when wet, especially when steep. The actual surface of the central I think has more tripping hazards and would be harder for a blind person. Doable certainly, but the coastal a tad easier.
He sure did! Wow, I had no idea about Woody!@woody66 will have some good tips for walking the CP while sight-impaired.
Many thanks for your well informed response! I know it would be 110% exhausting for me because I've done smaller excursions with her. She wants to know everything that's happening, to hear the entire menu in a restaurant, and be part of every decision. Like all of us. (She's completely blind, and seriously hearing impaired. We both wear hearing aids. )Hi Chris!
For what its worth I walked the Portuguese Coastal in 2021 and am severely sight impaired my boy is my G/dog.
I hope the below will help you make your choice!
The flights transport to Camino should be no different to able bodied travellers; in fact it's pretty much superior as special assistance takes all the stress away (unless they forget you like they did me in Santiago!!!
For a VI the actual coastal part from Porto presented less issues and will be significantly easier with a sighted guide she has your eyes and someone she trusts.
I would add this for your benefit ;you will be more knackered than she because you will be on 110% for the whole trip.
I know you will have helped her many many times but two weeks of solid watchfulness will exhaust you.
( my daughter has known nothing but me being blind but when she took me to Moto Gp in Barcelona for a week she was wiped out and asleep by 8pm she's 25 and a gym bunny)
(Beware in Porto itself the cobblestone paths in the old town are narrow and a nightmare and steep)
I will add Porto is wonderful and had the best experiences there wonderful cosmopolitan vibe and lots you can doi am going back there for a holiday defo.
I chose the Coastal because it is was basically flat along side walks, promenades and boardwalks before turning inland where it was still doable with help.
The boardwalks are ideal for a VI more or less fool proof walking surface where you can maintain the centre pretty consistently and use a long cane with a roller tip where hiking poles would get stuck.
Where there were wooden steps without a hand rail going up was fine however coming down meant sitting on my bum! but no biggie.
There was plenty of Hotel and Hostel accommodation along the way i stayed in private rooms for the whole Camino all the owners were amazingly helpful far beyond what i anticipated made my journey less stressful
If she skis black runs then she's defo got the right mindset to walk the Camino.
You have to know and accept before starting that the chances are you are going to get hurt; but as long as nothing breaks jobs a goodun; swearing loudly i find works wonders i travelled to Portugal solo.
My biggest fear of all was not finishing it; I did and that was a joy and she will appreciate that feeling for sure!
.Last comment is she total or does she have any residual vision? (this might give me a better idea of any further advice)
With you as sighted guide you should be able to overcome anything on the way nothing was that bad that it couldn't be conquered slowly and carefully! (you can get a taxi if you cant)
If you want to ask me anything you can either do it on this thread or PM me.
I start the Frances in May for my 69th birthday so the Camino has got a second chance to make me love it again!!!!
I hope you will both have a wonderful experience if you decide to walk together.
I did.
Buen Camino
Woody
The Portuguese Camino from Porto - either the Central route or Coastal route is one of the easiest to get to since you can fly right to Porto, and not bother with spending an extra day on a bus or train getting to your starting point.I know there will be logistical issues getting to the start of the Camino route (air travel from California and other transportation).
MIGUEL. SPAIN. 2020 - Fundación Jacobea
I had heard about the Camino, I knew that it was very good, that there were shelters and I was interested in the possibility of travelling it. I wanted to organize a Camino but it had to be with my dog, I need my guide because I am blind. That is how my first Camino […]www.fundacionjacobea.org
Chris checkout the post above; I wear hearing aids too and Lookout is free to use (app store/Play store) takes a bit of practice but will read the whole menu if Talkback is installed on her phone!Many thanks for your well informed response! I know it would be 110% exhausting for me because I've done smaller excursions with her. She wants to know everything that's happening, to hear the entire menu in a restaurant, and be part of every decision. Like all of us. (She's completely blind, and seriously hearing impaired. We both wear hearing aids. )
Hi! I walked my forst camino in 2016. I met a blind man there and his helper. It was very special and awesome so see them walk. Louis, who was blind, walked very close behind the helper. They must have rehersed this for a long time. They did not touch each other, but almost. In that way Louis all the time could feel the speed and direction. They walked all the way from JPP to Santiago. I think they were i the 60' like my self.I walked Pamplona to Burgos October 2022, alone. It was just lovely. (I only walk about 8-15 km per day because I have knee arthritis and another bothersome pain.)
I have a close friend who is blind, and who might just love to go with me on another Camino walk, I'm thinking the Interior Portugues. (Though I don't know much about either route at this point.) She is very fit and nimble and adventurous (skis black diamond hills with a guide, great swing and ballroom dancer), but also blind. Her guide dog is retired and getting quite old. When he dies she'll be free to travel without him. We get along well and have known each other since our boys, now 31, were babies.
I know there will be logistical issues getting to the start of the Camino route (air travel from California and other transportation). What other difficulties would we face walking that route, assuming we stay mostly at hotels? Are there difficult sections with pebble-covered steep hills or other areas of tricky footing challenges? She's 68 and I'm a few years older, both in good health, but slower than many on the caminos.
Your tips and advice are most welcome!
There's lodging right next to the airport, located right on top of the Camino, albeit not a specific pilgrims' Albergue, and from that point it's easy to take either the Coastal or Central option, as it is also right next to one of the cross routes.The Portuguese Camino from Porto - either the Central route or Coastal route is one of the easiest to get to since you can fly right to Porto, and not bother with spending an extra day on a bus or train getting to your starting point.
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