Day 4: Balugaes to Facha

Sunday 22 September

We planned a slower day (12 km) to give my blisters, which had started on day 2, more time to heal… with the help of Compeed hydrocolloid plasters. Every pharmacy in the towns on the Camino has a display of these in all shapes to suit every position and size of blister imaginable. They really do understand the needs of their customers.

Our walk took us past along quiet lanes, through farmland and vineyards. Two hours in, we came across a small food truck that had been set up in the driveway of one of the houses - smart business thinking. We enjoyed pasteis de nata and coffee for breakfast before heading off again, this time in the rain.

It wasn’t long before we heard a familiar voice behind is. It was the very entertaining Octavi from Catalonia, a solo walker whom we’d met on day 1 on the last stretch to Vila Do Conde, We compared tales about our respective Camino experiences before we reached the small town of Facha, where Prudence and I had booked at night at a private albergue.

The Whatsapp from the owner had told us that if we were early, the door would be unlocked and we were welcome to go inside and make ourselves at home before she arrived to take our payment. A foreign idea to us cynical South Africans! But we did exactly as she suggested and took the opportunity to do some laundry before dinner at a nearby cafe with all the other overnighting walkers - mostly Italians - followed by a very early night. All the exercise means most people are asleep by 9pm. And so were we!Read more