Day 19 Barcelos to Ponte de Lima

Alarm went off at 0410 and we left the hotel by 0430, we knew today was going to be a hot one and as it transpired we made the right decision leaving early for more than one reason as you will see later.

Yotty looking a bit like Colin Farrell there.

The sun was coming up, when much to our horror we saw this, apparently he has not been wearing pants the whole walk!! Makes me ill just thinking about it .

Today was going to be to a beautiful walk and I was feeling much more positive; what a difference a day makes, I must say I was happy to be away early and getting back to my old routine, as the sun came about and started to bite the lads agreed we had made the right decision .

My favourite shadow photo.

We were walking through beautiful countryside surrounded by vines.

Goat heaven Michelle

It was soon time for our first stop we had covered 7 miles by 0700, it was big boost for me as I knew I would not have to endure the heat for too long.

Please note sign in background.

Moment of madness,there is no doubt we were of good cheer this morning.

Another beautiful bridge.

We soon had a steep climb to Tamel S. Pedro Fins.

When we got to the top we thought a bit of exercise was in order.

Exhausted we moved on top onto Ponte dad Tabas.

It was soon time for another break it was getting very hot and it was not even 1000 hrs.

Please note water Mariet, we were going through it like wildfire. We cannot help but notice how much cheaper it is here compared to Spain, we will be reminded of that fact when we enter Spain tomorrow. We also note the nearer we get to Spain the harder it is to get a fine tart.

Martin helped an American lady who had terrible blisters.

We had another climb ahead of us followed by a beautiful descending walk into Cabanas.

Dog on a blog time. What a little sweetheart he was, only a pup and no more than six inches high, sorry Piers I did not put him in my rucksack, shame on me!!!

It was now getting really hot and I was soaked in my own perspiration, the heat just saps your strength and makes walking very hard indeed, especially when most of the walking is on cobbled streets, the uneven surface really gives your knees a hammering.

With three miles to go to Ponte de Lima we had to stop for a break and get our boots off and have some cold water.

We found some tarts!!!!

And a cat.

It was soon time to do battle with the noon day sun, we headed off to our final destination Ponte De Lima.

We came across another beautiful bridge with a cool river running below it, we just could not resist it .

It was so refreshing, my trotters began to feel like normal.

We only had a mile to go.

Matthew from work had asked me to place a stone in memory of his friend Jussi Kontusalmi who died at a very young age, we picked a spot with a lovely view across a vineyard overlooked by mountains in the background, I placed the stone said a few words and had a moments silence, then moved on.

We at last entered Ponte de Lima and yet again saw a stunning Roman bridge spanning the river.

Matt commented on the amazing view across the river, we all agreed it really was stunning, in fact it was the finest we had seen in many a day!!!! Yotty put his trunks on and was just about to swim across when we reminded him we needed to find our hotel.

Well after 21 miles in the blazing sun we found our hotel and did not do our washing, we jumped in the pool and had a swim.

It was bliss and that is the other benefit of getting up early, you get time to enjoy your destination. We have had a fantastic afternoon relaxing by the pool enjoying some lunch.

We went into the town and had a neck, what a beautiful town.

Another great meal, best steak I have had in a long time.

We shall be sad when we leave Portugal tomorrow, we have been made to feel so welcome all the time we have been here, we have loved every minute of our Camino in this beautiful country.

Stats 

Walked 21.5 miles 

Distance walked 268 miles

Distance to Santiago 96 miles.

Tarts taken, roughly 70