Vila Cha

After enduring five days of cold and rain, we decided to head south. Although we have not come for the sun, it helps!

On Saturday 23 rd we drove away from Santiago in, it has to be said, blue skies and some sunshine! However, we were committed to leave so we headed south for the 120 mile drive to a beach north of Porto. As much of the route was along, again, the Camino de Santiago, and as it was early, we saw many walkers heading towards the city aiming, we suspect, for a midday arrival.

The route we took, avoiding the toll roads was the usual; mix of hills and descents with many towns and villages to encourage slow, gentle progress. Lunch was taken in a lay-by of sorts where a young man was selling cherries. Therefore, a two-kilo box was duly acquired and they proved to be sweet and reasonably tasty. They will now be used to all meals for two or three days.

As is common elsewhere in Europe the frontier came and went without pause or even much of a sign. However, the roads changed and we ended up on a toll road that was just a little expensive. Nevertheless, it was interesting to be bale to see the Portuguese countryside. According to the guidebooks, northern Portugal is an area mainly given over to agriculture and so it seems. It is very green and vines are widespread. The pity is that the wine, Vinho Verde, is often rather bland.

We had decided to stop at a camp[site that had some mixed reviews but offered us the chance to get into Porto by train. This is far easier for us. About 3 miles form the campsite we found the signs and headed off down the indicated roads: cobbles and more cobbles. As one of the ladies told me this morning, Portugal roads are all cobbles!! So much for cycling then!

The site is quite interesting. The campsite people greeted us very favourably and they could not have been more helpful. In the main it is a site for people who leave their caravans here all of the time. Some are very old and this gives it an appearance of being run down. This is not the case but I can understand why some people do not find it pleasing. However, I think it will suit us. There is sun!! We shall stay for quite a few days and make visits to hear and there. Probably more wine will be bought! I gather that we can visit a museum for that most famous of Portuguese wine, Mateus Rose so I guess we might invest in a few bottles of that delightful wine to share with others when we return to England, something, no doubt, you will all look forward to with immense interest.