Sometimes it can be a tough job — especially when you come across a gem of a hotel like O Muino de Pena! Animalcouriers followed the pilgrimage route — the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) — that ends in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. A mill where pilgrims used to call in for a bed for their last night has been transformed into a wonderful rural hotel, where we were lucky enough to stay the night.
Resident Labrador Trotsky greeted us warmly on our arrival, very pleased to discover we had a box of Bonios with us. We soon became firm friends. His chum Elliott, clearly an ‘in charge’ sort of a dog, declined a Bonio but graciously allowed us to stay the night once he’d had a good sniff around the Animalcouriers van.
In Santiago de Compostela we caught up with Sabra and her handsome black cat Clark. This time last year we transported Clark and his brother Lewis to the area, as Sabra was studying here under the Erasmus program. Sadly Lewis has died in the meantime, but Clark is now heading back to the UK with us, as Sabra is returning to Cambridge University for the final year of her Spanish course. Sabra and her husband James have thoroughly enjoyed their time in Santiago de Compostela — as well as being a beautiful location, the entire Galician region has a rich history of poets, writers and artists.
Then it was off to the very pretty area of Santa Maria de Geraz do Lima in Portugal, to collect sweet little Mini Pinscher Lillian. She is off to join her owner Jessica in London, after living with Jessica’s mother-in-law, Fernanda, for a few years. Fernanda will be able to catch up with Lillian very soon as she’s due to make a visit to England.
Still in Portugal, we went to collect Rudi from Bob in Salir do Porto. When Simon and his family were on holiday in Nazaré, a clever young female dog decided that they would make fine new owners. So she attached herself to them and it wasn’t long before she was sharing their holiday home. Completely smitten, they decided to research how to get her to the UK. She has been staying with Bob, found through the local vet, until we could collect her and take her to the UK.
At Seixal we made the acquaintance of cats Ninja and Sushi, who were waiting for us at the front door when we arrived. Their owner Cheila has already moved to England and these friendly felines have been in the care of her dad Fernando.
From there it was off to meet Bela and her cats Onix and Happy. Bela and her family split their time between Portugal and the UK. But as they spend more time in the UK, they have decided the cats will be more at home there.
I would go for the chocolate scallops! 😉
Now there’s a surprise 😀
What a charming adventure.
Yes, everyone is having fun and seeing some beautiful parts of the world.
Beautiful animals, world travel, great food and hospitality. Thank you for these wonderful posts!
How is your vineyard doing?
It does have all the right ingredients! Vineyard doing surprisingly well – an unusually wet summer came to the rescue 😉
I’m envious of all that sunshine you get to see
It really has been wall-to-wall this trip.
Oh yum@ those scallops.
Thank Clark is a handsome fell and I am partial to black cats.
What a lovely group you have this time and enjoy their company as I know they are in good hands.
Clark is jolly handsome and very generous 😀
Chocolate scallops look too good to be true. A lovely gift. Love the pics of the cats and dogs. For sure Rudi was clever and knew how to endear herself to someone that woulkd rescue her. Loved reading all the stories.
Rudi is clever and delightful!
Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing! 😀 xx Roxy & Tigerlino <3
Always our pleasure R&T!
I have always wanted to walk the Camino – or even see part of it. You have the best job!!
Do try to get there – very special places on the route!
That hotel looked delightful
It’ll be on the list of our favourites now.
What a delightful name for a dog – Trotsky. I’d think about that one were I to ever get another male.
It made us laugh too!
Trotsky has a lovely face. All of your passengers look delightful. I’ve enjoyed exploring parts of the Camino with my bipeds, but they were parts in and near the Pyrenees.
Yes, not so close but the whole route is fabulous. Lucky you Clowie!
Oh, my. This is one of our favorite posts ever – and that’s going some. Loved the story and am totally jealous of your ongoing adventures with the most delightful job I can think of!! Passengers, place, perfect. 🙂
Not much to complain about on this one 😀
Rudi has a super funny nose, he looks anyway like a super funny buddy!
Rudi has proved a great comedienne on this journey 😀
It is lovely to read about your journey, especially as my dog Lillan is on board. Our family can’t wait to be reunited with her here in London. It’s been six years since I had her near me, though I have visited her many times in Portugal where she has been in the care of my in laws, she can now finally retire in peace thanks to animal couriers!
She’s a happy and very much loved dog.
Thanks again for making this possible!
Have a safe journey! See you soon!
Love
Jessica
You really must be excited Jessica – a long time to wait but so nearly there! Lillian is doing just fine.
He he – both delicious but best kept separate 😀
Beautiful place you stayed and the scallops! Yummy!!!!
These gorgeous places along the road are a great perk!
Happy & Onix got 4 paws up each from Nylablue!!
I adore all the dogs & cats; they all are so well behaved aren’t they?
I am sorry Sabra lost Lewis…& releived she still has Clark to travel & share life with…
Both types of Scallops look delish….(I’ll try the chocolate ones please..) 😉
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue <3 <3
Looks like Rudi has fallen on her paws and doesn’t Happy have the most beautiful eyes