Day 2 Labruge to São Miguel De Arcos +-20km’s

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A much later start to the day, a lot more sleep was required. I think we’re still recovering from the flight. 

Casa da Praia Guesthouse provided an awesome breakfast. Hard boiled eggs, fresh rolls, cheese, ham, fruit, cereal, fruit juice and good coffee. There was an adequate sufficiency for two big guys in need of sustenance for a day of walking. 

We set off at 8:45am along the boardwalks next to the ocean. A reminder of the 2016 Camino with Meme. 





It’s so beautiful being close to the ocean.





If you’re looking for a Camino of solitude then this is the one for you. If I look back on all my Camino’s, the Portuguese Coastal and Del Norte are definitely the quieter ones in my opinion. I found my Pilgrim families on the Francés, Inglés, San Salvador and Primitivo.

Yesterday we met a retired Australian couple, Lionel and Joy. They’ve just walked the Francés and now walking the Portuguese. We helped them navigate through Matosinhos to find the bus stop, as the bridge over the harbour is closed for maintenance. It was quite something this morning when Rob and I were chatting and wondering what happened to them. We looked up and there they were at coffee shop in front of us. We had a short chat and carried on with our journey. Oh how interesting that people are placed on your life path for a reason. I really hope to see them again to get a pic.

Walking through the village of Vila Chã with pristine beaches and little homes, some more funky than others.







I had mixed feelings of turning off onto the Central Route today but I knew I did not want to repeat the 2016 route. I’m just pleased Rob got to experience some of the Coastal in all its glory.





Walking into Vila do Conde brought back so many memories of an afternoon with Meme and Cherylynne on our 2016 Camino.

Convent of Santa Clara.



Pilgrim menu in Vila do Conde was only €6 for a beer, soup and main course. A great lunch.





We found the Santa Clara Aqueduct leaving Vila do Conde. The second largest Portuguese aqueduct system built between 1626 and 1714. It includes 999 arches from the spring of Terroso to the Convent of Santa Clara.







Door of the day has returned.



From Vila do Conde we needed to navigate across to the Central Route to end our walk for the day at São Miguel De Arcos. The route to go inland normally connects at São Pedro De Rates but we could not find suitable accommodation for our needs. Maps.me to the rescue and we arrived exactly where we needed to be after 20km’s of walking.

The back roads to our accommodation.





Quinta De São Miguel De Arcos is lovely family home with comfortable rooms. There’s only one cafe in this little village, so we’re dining in tonight.

A few pics of our surroundings.







I found this at the cafe.




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