May 29

Out of the hotel by 6 am ... The backpack feels very heavy after not carrying it for a few days.

We took the Metro to the outskirts of Porto and started walking near Mosteiro. Lots of cobblestone roads and many with fast moving traffic and minimal shoulders. Lots of curves too!

Then some tracks through Eucalyptus forests and of course lots of up and down. Gil's foot is bothering him again ... He's trying ice on it now.

We stopped at a Quinta on the way for a great lunch at a very good price.

Once we arrived at Quinta Sao Miguel in Arco's, we were pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful room, no charge for laundry, and a church right next door. They have two pools but since we slept all afternoon, we didn't try them. We went to Mass at 7 pm and had soup and bread for dinner.

They have given us a box with yogurt, ham and cheese for breakfast so we can leave early.

Time for sleep.

May 28

Did laundry at a laundromat this morning ... Luxury :)

Then to the market ... Lots of fruit in season and lots of fresh fish ... We bought some fruit ... But no fish :)

Then to the supermarket to buy bread and juice for breakfast so we can leave at 6 am tomorrow.

A little rest in the hotel and now we are going to tour a Port Cave ...

The tour of the Port "Cave" was interesting ... The port is aged in huge vats and then barrels. The woman giving the information on the tour was very anti-English ... Since all on the tour were from the USA (except us :) ... Her views were well  accepted. Apparently Port was originally made so wine could be exported from Portugal to England. There is some disagreement as to who "created" the first port.

We knew that many rivers flood in Portugal in the spring (that is why we did not come earlier) ... She showed us how high the waters flood ... I think 1909 was one of the worst ... The oak vats kept the port safe since the the water does not go through the wood and the barrels floated so even though there was a lot of destruction, the port was saved.

We tasted White Port and Ruby ... The Ruby was my favorite. We did not buy any at the store ... Too heavy to carry ;)

One last evening with fellow pilgrims and tomorrow we begin again. It will probably be hard after not walking with packs for a few days.

Day whatever

Too tired to try to figure out how many days we've been walking.

Today we are taking the bus to Porto since Gil can't walk ....

Did not have to get up early ... Sitting at a sidewalk cafe having cafe con leite and a chocolate bun. Had some strawberries in our room before we left ...

Sitting in the beautiful Igreja do Clerigos, listening to a concert with the magnificent organ.

We climbed the tower and saw a beautiful panaramic view of Porto ... Lots of narrow stairs that required discipline to negotiate with people going up and down at the same time.

So many beautiful churches ... Many with almost covered in tiles.

We also saw the famous Livraria Lello with the famous red stairs and stained-glass ceiling.

Day 18

Too tired to write much in my blog ...

Another hot day ... We were both tired by the time we arrived in Agueda ... And of course the Albergue was up the hill (they always are) and past the end of town ...

All walking on pavement today meant tired feet ...but I actually had our clothes washed in a washing machine today! What a luxury! And they are hanging on the line, drying in the breeze and sunshine.

We walked to Macdonald's for dinner ..
Almost 2 km ... That is a long way after more than 20 on the Camino ... Anyway we figure we have burned enough calories to have a burger and fries and a Sundae for dessert.

Back to the Albergue and time to sit and chat with peregrinos from Germany, France, Netherlands, great Britain, Australia and Canada ... And a couple of glasses of wine.

Talked to all of our sons and daughters and 4 of the grandchildren so feeling a little homesick ... Missing them all.

Off to bed so we can get up at 5 am.

Day 16

No blog post yesterday. We spent the day in Condeixa-a-Nova and at the ruins of the Roman settlement at Conimbriga. The mosaics were awesome, especially in the House of the Fountains.

Today we left at 6 am and still have about 5 km to go to get to Coimbra.

Tired ... But still managed to climb the hill to see the Old Cathedral ... The new one was built in the 1700's ... And the Museo
Machado do Castro ... And then had to walk down .....

Day 14

According to the John Brierley guide, it is 615.6 km from Lisbon to Santiago.

According to his guide, we have walked
137.9 km of the Camino.

According to my Vivofit, I have walked 430,379 steps and 276.9 km.

Of course we do lots of walking not on the Camino ... But it gives me some perspective on walking the Camino...

Left Alvaiazere this morning about 6:30. It was a little chilly but we are still enjoying the relief from the hot weather.  Camino was wooded trails today but lots of up and down too.

Arrived at Ansiao about noon and met Claire, Amira and Kaly at a coffee shop so we joined them for some delicious pastries and and coffee.

They had sent their backpacks on ahead and planned on walking to Rabacal. We had decided to stay here.

Very nice room and a wonderful dinner ... Rice with seafood ... The best dinner so far!

Early to bed and early to rise :)

Day 13

An early start this morning. Carlos dropped us where we finished yesterday at 6 am. It was chilly this morning but we are not complaining. So much better to walk in the cool than the heat!

No where to stop along the way ... But beautiful forests of Eucalyptus and olives and cherries.

We are going to dinner with a woman from Ireland and another from Germany. I do not want any more bacalao. Last night we had a choice between cod and pork. The cod dinner was boiled cod, potato, cabbage and half a boiled egg ... Reminded me of my grandmother's cooking. She used to boil everything. Not so appetizing.

The pork dinner came with rice and French fries ... Interesting ... I guess the French fries are the veggies.

Dinner tonight with a woman from Germany, two from Ireland and two from Brooklyn, New York. I had chicken, salad and wine ... Nice change from what we have been eating.

Hoping for an early start tomorrow.