Portugal Day 18

It's May 1st and we left Barcelos and walked to Ponte de Lima. This was probably the best day of walking on the Camino Portugues as it took us on backroads and dirt paths for much of the way. We really noticed an increase in the number of peregrinos after Porto. In many ways it has made it more fun because we encountered the same people several times and have extended our conversations. Thus, we had a pilgrim meal with Ambrose, a Canadian, Carlo, an Italian and Nora, a German. We had lots of laughs. Although the walk was over 34 km it was not particularly taxing and we were checked in,  showers and laundered by 5 pm. Today we saw lots of flowers, grape vines with fruit just set and granite fence posts

Portugal Day 17

We woke up to a surprise this morning be it had rained quite hard overnight and was still raining. We had left our hiking boots outside and water poured out when they were tipped over. After we dried our boots out somewhat, we wore dry socks with the idea of changing them after an hour or two. I was in the fortunate position of having an old pair of socks that were due to be discarded. So at our morning coffee break, I threw out my socks and we both put on dry ones. By 9 am the rain stopped and everything was back on track.
Today we had great walking conditions as we spent a lot of time on dirt paths or quiet country roads. When we entered Barcelos we saw the famous Barcelos cockerell. Legend has it that a pilgrim was sentenced to hanging but he said that he was innocent. This would be proven when the judge eats because the roasted rooster would stand up on the judges table. Sure enough that happens so the judge rushed to the gallows and save the pilgrim. Next we encountered people everywhere and music on the streets. When we arrived at our potential hotel, we learned that rooms were scarce because of the national holiday celebratios. The clerk called another hotel for us then we could relax and enjoy the town. At supper in Cantinho do Peregrinho we had a nice pilgrim meal and met a couple from Wolfville NS.

Portugal Day 16

Today was sunny but not hot, which was nice because we walked out of the city of Porto. The Camino was on hard surfaces of city streets and roads all day. It was not until we were almost at our destination that the scenery got interesting; near Vilarinho there was an interesting church perched on a hill all by itself. There were also some very old stone walls in perfect condition and a few that had been damaged, which allowed us to see how they were constructed. In the village we checked into what was called a private albergue. It's very nice as we have a wonderful room to ourselves overlooking the backyard and pool. I tried swimming but lasted only a minute because the water was cold- even for a Canadian. Four of us had a load of laundry done by our host who even hung it up to dry. What a treat not having to do laundry today.  We walked downtown for dinner and ate at Tasquinha Restaurant; the food was good and the waitress was lots of fun. We had a Portuguese pork dish and salad followed by port wine and very strong coffee. All for  €16. We were asked to write in a Camino book. 

Portugal Day 15

We awoke around 6 am and made our way into the town of Grijo for breakfast. Then we walked the short distance into Porto, 15 km, and arrived at 11am. The first order of the day was to have our credentiales stamped at the cathedral. Then we found our hotel where we dropped our backpacks before heading out for some food and exploring Porto. We found the market and looked at some potential souvenirs should we fly home from Porto in May. Two possibilities arose, cork products such as purses and port wine.
We met Martha and Al Johnston from Kingston for dinner. It was fun walking around with them and sharing a nice meal. This is a picturesque city with tons of history.

Portugal Day 14

Breakfast may have been the best part of the day.
They gave us lots of choices and we fueled our tanks for the day. The walk today was not great as it was on a lot of paved roads and through towns. Eventually we arrived at our destination of Grijo and checked out the Albergue. It was very rudimentary so we considered looking elsewhere but decided to stay. We walked into town to buy a few things and stopped at the cathedral on the way back. This is a small town but the cathedral beats the one in Fatima hands down. At 8 pm we went to our host's home for dinner. It was great.  The food was good and plentiful and we had a ball talking to our French and Canadian colleagues and Portugal hosts and son-in-law in English, French and Portuguese.  In retrospect, dinner was the highlight of the day.

Portugal Day 13

Today is a rest day with plans for about 23 km. Last night in the Albergue was very good because we had the whole building to ourselves. After making coffee and a Continental breakfast, we started walking around 8 am with jackets. It was  only after half an hour that I removed my jacket. This area seems to be quite wealthy because every second car was either a Mercedes or BMW. The yards are full of orange and lemon trees. We walked into Oliveira de Azeima a little after 1 am and looked about for a hotel.  On booking.com the 4 star Dighton Hotel was listed at €53, so we stopped in and asked about the rate. We were offered a room at €58, so I showed them the lower price. They advised me to book it on line, which I did; the end price was  €52.65 with continental breakfast. I will never understand how hotels set their prices. We got a nice quiet room at the rear of the hotel with a huge bed and nice bathroom. The view from the window is interesting as there are chicken in an adjacent yard.  As we walked into town, we came upon an excavation in the gravel road, which turned out to be a section of a road built by the Romans. There is history all over this country.

Portugal Day 12

Last night we stayed in a very nice hotel and were provided with a nice breakfast to fuel our engines today. This is our last 30 km day for now. Also it was the coolest day since we arrived so walking was easier. The most notable things today were the flowers. People seem to grow anything and everything here.  The orange and lemon trees are loaded with fruit much of which is allowed to fall on the ground and decay. We even picked up a few from the road and ate them.
Last night we were the only ones in the hotel and tonight we are the only ones in the Albergue. It is very nice and clean, and is very well equipped. Tomorrow will be a short day as we have to stop at 23 km.