The first part of today’s walk was still mainly on road though I did pass along some more interesting forest tracks. A sudden shower appeared from nowhere and drenched me before I had time to get my waterproof gear out but quickly turned to drizzle. A great excuse to stop at a bar about half way for a very thick and creamy hot chocolate in the teeny village of Paco, where I met up with Anna and Lucille.

The second part of the hike took us through a series of hamlets until we arrived in the town of Ponte de Lima – the oldest town in all of Portugal! This place is gorgeous – a really nice surprise! Ancient little streets to wander about and some lovely bars and restaurants along the river.

The sun was now shining and the rain a distant memory so we all sat down for a drink to wait for the albergue to open. Anna ordered some octopus which was delicious and spicy.

Our albergue (Casa de Arnado – 5 euros) was just across the medieval bridge. This part of town was quiet and pretty with parks and green spaces along the banks of the river, but a stunning 5 minute walk across the Medieval bridge to get back to the busy old town. After doing the obligatory washing of clothes and self I headed in to wander the streets and take a look in the churches. I spotted Serena (the Swiss girl who was also at Fernanda’s yesterday) sat at on a terrace and joined her for some wine in the evening sun. Anna wandered by and joined us too. It is a small town! We plodded back ‘home’ as the sun went down and the temperature cooled. Serena had a hotel but Anna and Lucille were staying at the albergue, and we had planned to cook sardine pasta together. On our return we found that there were about another 8 pilgrims here! A noisy, happy bunch! Mainly Portuguese though there may have been an Italian too. They were busy washing stuff and settling in and all disappeared in to the town soon after we arrived back. We prepared a lovely pasta meal with cheese and I went off to my bed ridiculously early, like 8pm, to read my book as I’m really in to it (Finding Oliver!)