DAY IV ON THE CAMINO PORTUGUESE. Vila do Conde to Esposende.

18 May

Today’s Etape was long in prospect. Most of the group set off before 08.00 with the intention of walking the whole way, 16 miles or so,taking in breakfast en route. Rob and I felt that we would need to shorten the stretch by five miles. We found breakfast quite quickly and pleased to find somewhere open that early on a Sunday.

A modern cafe with an emphasis on whole food and coffee.
Au revoir to the harbour setting.
The parish church for whom the bells were tolling.
We passed these three wise men as we walked through the suburbs.
On the outskirts of Vila do Conde.
Someone’s front garden. Vila do Conde seemed to merge into Povoa de Varzim.
We walked further into P de V eventually reaching the Atlantic.
These symbols were on a large square by the Tourist Office , where, having obtained a stamp for our pilgrim passports, Rob enquired of the very helpful lady there as to what they meant. She gave us a leaflet which explained the history of SIGLAS POVEIRAS…see below.

This helped our understanding and appreciation of the striking tile tableau depicting Povoa’s maritime history with an emphasis on the long established fishing industry.

After a lengthy study of these tiles we walked on.
Along the esplanade.
The view from our coffee stop
Lots of beaches and many protected dunes.
Floribundas
We came to St Andre where I stopped for refreshments thirteen years ago – expanded slightly now.
Mementoes attached by passing pilgrims.
Some hills in the distance.
Several windmills along this part of the coastline. It was not long afterwards and adjacent to an unlikely setting for a golf course that we decided eleven miles was enough and Rob got an Uber, in no time at all, to take us to our accommodation in Esposende.
Across from the Cavado River . We enjoyed our stay .

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