The sun is shining; the waning moon is still hanging low in the sky; a flock of pigeons is flying formation outside over the rooftop patio where hangs the hotel laundry; the suitcase is downstairs waiting for Tuitrans to pick it up for transport to Barcelos and my two pilgrims left just before 8:00 to continue the journey!
Yesterday was a very long day! A metro train ride took us out of central Porto to the bridge (there's always a bridge!) leading to the seawall and boardwalk which stretches all the way to Vila do Conde. Laura has started out with gusto! By the time we reach the seawall, Dave and I are already overheated so, time to adjust clothing and rearrange packs. "You guys are killing me!", quips Laura.
But a moment is needed to leave a little of Graham at the beach - he loved sand!
Not far into the day, the leg I knew might give me problems has started to complain. Fortunately, it is not the IT band stuff which my physios, Dave and Tish, diligently worked on with me to prepare for the walking. No, this is the back of my leg - an area we had just started to concentrate on. More of those one sided glute squeeze lift the leg things must be in order!
Thank heaven for taxis and short distances! A couple of hours were spent pleasantly at a café waiting for the pilgrims to arrive. The trouble with short distances is being able to see the next destination "just up there" at the mouth of the river! It soon becomes apparent that another 49 minutes of walking might be required and this means closer to 90 for me. Thank heaven for taxis!
Hotel Wenceslau - with lovely friendly staff with limited English (we are so spoiled) but we muddle along! There is no dinner here but we're directed to go around the corner - "It's very good"! Around the corner is the Casa Wenceslau! And they did not disappoint. Ah, I am back! The bread appears, the bowl of olives and two litres of their specialty sangria - white with lots of fruit and sparkling wine. Very good and needless to say, all gone at the end of the evening. Delicious meals - plates of the day - steak for Laura and veal for Dave and I. These are definitely not the Pilgrim's Menu!
So, since it is 10:00 now, I can get coffee around the corner and then make my way to the meeting spot we've planned at Pereira. Bom Caminho!
Hmmm my comment didn't work. Just said that I love the blogs, and love you all! Thinking of you everyday. Lots of love and keep the blogs coming! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteYour writing paints a picture. We stopped at the sea wall as well. It had started to rain and we needed our umbrellas/sun shade devices. We also had overheated and took of the bottom part of our shants. That first day is a long one! Hope you are having good weather. Xo, Leanne
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