Adios Espana…. for a while….maybe ?!

I was up and about early on the Tuesday morning, and headed off through Spain towards… Portugal !

I hadn’t really planned on going there, but realising I was only about 100 kms away, decided I may as well – and a fellow camper had recommended a campsite to me, about 20 kms North of Porto, and with an easy way to get into Porto for some sightseeing …. so, that was decided off i went, along the motorways of Spain and into Portugal – even paying to use their toll motorways, as it seemed to be the easiest way ! Certainly easier than the ‘local roads’, which were all tiny cobblestones, which rattled and bumped poor old Wally..

By mid afternoon I arrived at my destination Vila Cha, on the Coste Verde (hope that’s not a bad omen?) The people at the reception were very nice, even agreeing me to pay a cheaper price, than my camping card…and giving me a voucher for a free glass of Port… what a nice welcome !

I found out where a large supermarket was, went there, stocked up and returned to the campsite, setting everything up, and was soon happily BBQ’ing my dinner --- now I’d arrived somewhere warm, a BBQ at last ! and some nice local wine to wash it down !

I then headed down to the beach, to try to catch the sunset, although slightly cloudy,

I still hoped for some nice views  , not to be disappointed, the sun was soon setting quite nicely, a nice start to my time in Portugal !

Next morning the sun was shining nicely, so after a lazy morning I decided to have a ride along the boardwalk – a wooden walk/cycle way, along the edge of the coast towards Porto, unsure how far I could get… the waves were crashing in on the rocky coastline, with loads of differing sheltered coves and beaches, I just happily meandered… and once again was brought back to the Camino,as I saw some pilgrims walking along, carrying heavy packs, and a sign across the boardwalk Bon Camino !!

I managed to get about 15kms along, as the boardwalk disappeared, and then turned round, headed back to camp, and another BBQ in the evening sunshine, before heading back to the beach for another sunset… a clearer night, and more startling than the first night ! Amazing how quickly the sun drops, once it starts dropping !

The next day I knew was going to be the last nice day for a few days, and so I was up early, rode North to Vila Condo, the next large town, where I managed to get some cream for some insect bites I’d got…Ouch ! I had a look round this old town area   then back to camp to get a full load of washing done in the machine, and dried… i was ready for the rain – if it came, and it did !! Later that evening the skies darkened, and the rain started, it mattered not, I was warm,clean…and started reading a  book ! The rain never stopped all night,morning and afternoon, eventually easing off mid afternoon, when I was able to nip out for a quick walk around, spotting this sign on a van, no doubt one of the local fishermen…! … ready to decide my next step…

Which is …..

I’ll tell you when I know !