Sunday 10th April

30 km (286 km)

Porto

We had a lovely two-day rest in Porto taking in some of the sights, going on a boat trip and doing a tour and tasting at the port caves…I have to admit that I had no idea that port came from Porto although I suppose the clue is in the name! Porto is lovely and well worth another look when one’s feet don’t determine keeping steps to a minimum.

Farewell to Porto hello to sore feet

The guide book promised 16k of navigating out of a city, crossing multi lane busy roads and walking through industrial zones. It suggested taking a metro to avoid this but as we have been having a rest I really didnt want to start the day in a metro. The route out of Porto was actually rather interesting, passing through squares that we hadn’t seen on our trip and a few pretty 17th century churches. They look in such good shape that I’m sure Portugal must have been alert to the need to look after it’s old buildings many centuries ago.

The irony for me today was that leaving the city was interesting and not that bad on the feet. It was pavement all the way but once we were more in the countryside we were on cobbled streets for the remaining kilometres. This was much less friendly to bashed feet! We arrived at the Albergue at the Mosterio de Vairão around 3 and after an early dinner, we are now in the dormitory hoping to be asleep before the snorings start. The monastery is beautiful and extensive with parts of it dating back to the 11th century although most of it is from the 17th century. I will have another look tomorrow before we depart.

Change of plan

Taking a two day break in Porto has given us two days extra to play with. As today was hot and feet were feeling it I’ve decided that we will split the next two days into four meaning we will be in Santiago as planned on April 21 and it also means we have relatively short days from now on.