Jorge has created a beautifully walled garden retreat where immediately upon entry one feels invited to sit, breath deeply, and let go of what ever burden one has been carrying! Both literally and figuratively I lay down my heavy Camino de Santiago pilgrim’s backpack and a few of the worries still plaugeing my mind even on my fourth day on this contemplative journey. Arriving in a pouring rain, I was happily treated and given a tour and guidance on the facilities. I was enchanted by the cozy lovely country dinning room, the well appointed grounds and my fabulous room! Having a bit of bursitis in one hip and toe problems, just prior to my morning departure, Jorge recommended instead of hiking, then grabbing a bus, I take the train at Viana along the picturesque coast to Valenca, and from there walk the 2.8 kms to Tui where I could give my aching bones a nice rest for the 100 km trek to Santiago! And he offered to drive me to Viana...a ride I thoroughly enjoyed as we shared our philosophies about people and aspirations to making the world a better place! I loved the Barcelos leg of my journey so much that I offered that when I retire I would return to be a live-in manager of the facility!
