To Barcelos

October 17, 2023

I left Julie, still recovering from jetlag, and began a short walk out of Porto. The plan was that I would walk about 15 kms out of Porto and then catch the metro back to Porto. We had planned to have a bag transported, but that, in this instance, proved to be easier said than done. We (I) had selected Tui Trans, only to discover that all arrangements have to be made by 5.00pm Spanish time which means 4.00pm Portuguese time, which is very early. After several days of fluffing around, and one VERY long taxi ride for Julie, we eventually got it sorted. However, today we have switched to TopSantiago. Not only are they several Eueos cheaper but their time limit is 8.00pm for registering or making changes. This takes a considerable amount of pressure off us.

The guides all recommend that pilgrims catch the metro out of Porto, but I chose to walk it. I didn't find it tedious, and, indeed, I found it quite interesting. Yes, there is a lot of urban walking, firstly past shops and businesses, then through housing areas, then finally, through an industrial area, though only for a few kilometres. I'm glad I walked it.

Leaving Porto I passed this lovely church, with more tiles on view - inside, and out.

Day 2 out of Porto I completed on my own, as Julie was transporting the bag, aswe had ffailed to make the deadline. A taxi dropped me at a little village called Mosteiro, where I had stopped walking the day before, and continued on with Julie and the bag. Many Euros later Julie arrived, with the bag, and I arrived a few hours later, having to resort to using my raincoat for the last hour or so.

The stone uprights on the wall on the right actually have a purpose, which you can see on the left, supporting the vines. Wires are strung across, and vines are trained up them.

I can't believe the number of walls I have walked between. Often they are quite high, perhaps 6 foot, and often the road between is well below the level of the fields they surround

Heading out from São de Padrao Rates, we had a pleasant, but wet, walk to the gorgeous town of Barcelos.

the Capella Santa Cruz.

Barcelos is quite a large town, and seems quite prosperous. We explored the ruins of the old Palace, called by the locals "the castle", and the numerous churches in the town. With the pending bad weather we decided to stay an extra day, and just enjoyed the town, and completed chores such as washing.

The Palace ruins, looking across at Barcelihos.

We went to Mass in the evening, in the Church of Sant Antonio. This church has a pilgrim blessing at the end of the Mass, and they even have a welcoming person on duty each night. Elena ushered us to our special seats where we could be observed by the entire congregation! Brother Luis greeted me like an old friend, having met me when I was here in January. Elena whispered to me that he wanted me to sing at the end of Mass, just as we were walking out for the blessing - no time to say no. He then stood up and announced that I would be singing for everyone. I gestured to the trio of musicians who had been leading the service, and they joined me, harmonising as they sang, and quickly finding the English words on their phones - they were young!