Santiago to Portugal.

Today's theme was 'thermal pools'. How come I never knew that just 80 kms form Santiago are some of the best thermal pools I've ever been too? And they're free. 

We set off from Santiago heading south to Portugal via Ourense. Mike had found the Out Ariz thermal pools on the outskirts of Ourense so that was where we headed. Despite poor signage we were there before lunch and spent a lazy hour or so in the pools that range in temperature from 62C to 75C degrees alongside the refreshing Mina river. The tourist train (on wheels) from Ourense central runs quite frequently past the pools picking up and dropping off bathers.

Cooling off in the River Minno.

We headed up the track to the private pools a few minutes walk away for lunch then had another dip before heading further south. 

A reminder we are still in Spain.

Right near the border we went through Loimos, another thermal area. The pools here weren't so inviting but the river was a lovely temperature and very popular with the locals.

Entering Portugal you couldn't find a starker contrast between the road conditions. We are now quite confident with the Spanish road system, almost all the roads we have been on have been of an excellent standard and the signage very clear. Not so in Portugal. In the short distance we have travelled here the roads are rubbish......narrow, potholes, two way and switchback. However the scenery in Parque Nacional do Geres is spectacular. We look forward to some hiking, bathing and generally soaking up the atmosphere. 

The view from our super wonderful digs in a Campo Do Geres.