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- Jul 10, 2023, 9:29 PM
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
PortugalAfife41°46’31” N 8°51’40” W
Day 3 . 10k Viana do castelo to Afife

I knew today would be a hot day when the Italians in the albergue insisted on the girls taking their hydration powder and were very kind to give me some drugs for my shoulder pain. The Italians have good stuff within half an hour of taking their pain killers my shoulder was ready for my pack even with the extras of April's sleeping bag trail runners and Megan's sliders. After a group discussion we decided to head back to the coastal route as we missed the sea breeze the flat surface and our fellow pilgrims. After a crazy fast car ride to the bus stop by the very kind albergue owner Fernanda we managed to communicate effectively to get 3 tickets at €2.75 each (no child discount for my very tall 11 year old) we were on our way at 9am back to the blissful coast of Portugal. The coach dropped us to the bus station and with our navigator April holding google maps and all of us carrying everything in a backpack on our backs we were finally at the coast again enjoying the cool breeze from the sea. We decided after two previous long days to keep it short. After around 3k of boardwalk and a quick dip in the sea we bumped into Angelo and Luca two fellow pilgrims who seemed a bit lost. I showed them my John Brierley Camino bible and with a smile they were on their way. 10k on sweat dripping down my back Megans red face looking at me with the look of im done. The water bladder is empty and not a sign of a water fountain I decided it's time to call it a day. I spotted a white surf school van with a middle aged man his two young children and dog heading uphill to the nearest village. Surely a man his kids and a dog is a safe bet for a lift? I eagerly flag him down and explain our predicament. He points to the back of his van with no seats just two surf boards and some shopping bags and says I've no seats. We don't need seats I say with a big smile and with that we jump in. As we're driving and sitting on the cold van floor I explain to Carlos that we haven't booked accommodation for tonight and without hesitation he's on his phone ringing around but unfortunately it's not looking good. He seems stressed and worried for us Im thinking maybe i shud be too but the camino does provide. After a bumpy 5 mins uphill Carlos pulls into a tavern in the rural village of Afife were he speaks to the tavern owner and within a few mins we have room up above the tavern for €40 for the night. Carlos oblivous to his kids and dog and his van he orders himself a beer. This is my chance to repay his kindness I quickly throw €5 at the bar tender insisting on paying for his drink he argues but allows me too. He downs his drink and is on his way. The afternoon was happily spent with the girls swimming in the sea and well me trying my best to swim. We built up an appetite so a meal of grilled chicken wings ribs chips and a €1.60 glass of declious red wine went down a treat. Best day so far.Read more
Traveler Your great at mixing, fair play to you for been grateful for lift. But how come u were not worried having no accommodation booked. Id be a little uptight with 2 tired youngsters
The 3 musketeers It was early it was still only 2 pm at that stage and we had our sleeping bags and their is plenty of olive trees to sleep under if the worst happens but it didn't the camino provides
Traveler
Beautiful
The 3 musketeers To be totally honest no. They didn't like the central route and did find that boring but love the coastal. We have alot of ice cream stops along the way