After many long walking days, today we are only planning to walk just under 19 miles. It was a steady plodding day. Our highlight today, it being Sunday was coming round a bend to be faced a wall of running girls, it was race day in the local village, stepping aside we realized the Camino walked right through the race course. When we entered the village, we stopped for coffee and pastries and to watch the races for a little while.
We had an overcast morning, with lots of mist which burned off as the day got warmer. The Accacia trees are planted in rows very symetrically.
I loved these doors and gateway outside what seemed to be a church or religious building.
Sometimes the Camino took you on odd routes, like along this railway underneath the brdidge, you can see the trail markers on the right.
Here we were walking through fields, but on those cobblestones, the bridge had a figure of Jesus on the cross, you can see the trail marker on the right hand wall.
As we plod on towards Oliveira de Azemeis and enter the town we turn down a small road. The road is filled with cars, double parked and lots of people waiting outside in the street. Andre is busy with his guidebook, and I realize they are lining up outside a restaurant with a takeout side shop. I am turning to Andre to say we must eat here when he looks up and says with his French accnet, "Nick, there is a very good restaurant here." I laugh and point out that we found it. I don't usually order the best lunch but today I did and was very happy. I oredered grilled squid with prawns and it came with some chorizo sausage as well.
Having had a slow lunch, we walk on, there was a Roman mile marker
And this wonderful large church, just one of many we have passed on the journey so far. Not the Camino trail marker at the foot of the stairs. Many of the churches and chapels are decorated with tile pictures. We walk slowly, crossing two medieval bridges over the river we and walk up and down many hills today.
Eventually we reach Sao Joao a Madeira, quite a busy town although it is Sunday so not much traffic. We find a pensione to stay in, breakfast is included but more money than we want to spend but we accept. We sit on the square outside having coffee and drinks with deep fried corn nibbles and boiled fava beans. We end up talking with Paul, a man sitting at the table enxt to us who is interested what we are doing in town. He also wants to practice his English, he is there with his young son who is playing with friends in the square. We talk about the Camino and he says he has heard of it and wants to walk it someday with his son. He runs a business making shoes and handbags. We ask for a recommendation for dinner. He tells us about Bacana, just a short walk he assures us. We give it a try. Of course we start with soup, bread and olives. Andre selects his Bacalau and I go for something which I later find out is a traditional dish of the region. It has everything, eggs on top of ham, pork, beef, bread and swamped in a slightly spicy tomato sauce. It was delicious.
I finish this off with a layered almond cake and coffee.
Tomorrow we reach Porto, over dinner we discuss possibly taking a taxi part of the way as most likely walking into Porto it will be very industrial. This thought is placed in my head by Andre who now has plenty of time to reach Porto against his deadline of his flight. I look forward to having a day of rest in Porto.
Till tomorrow.
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