James on the Way: Camino 2017 - Day 2 May 30. Porto to Portela de Tamel

We both slept well last night and we're woken up by the alarm at 7:00. After resorting our gear and getting everything packed again we left the hotel to find some breakfast. There was a nice café conveniently at the Sao Bento train station so after buying train tickets to Barcelos where we will start walking we had breakfast.

The station has some amazing blue tile pictures on the walls.

Since we still had some time before the train left we walked up to the cathedral and got our compostelas (pilgrim passports) stamped and to say a prayer in the cathedral before we start our pilgrimage today.

On our way back down the hill we had some views over the city and passed a small fish market.

Then back to the station. The train arrived and left on time.

The train stopped 17 times in 45 mins at small country towns before we had to change trains for the final 3 stops and then were in Barcelos where we officially started our pilgrimage.

We made our way from the train station into the town and after a place to get our first stamp in our credentials we set off along the Camino.

The first couple of km were through the suburbs but then we were out in the country with vineyards and cows and goats grazing. It was hilly and most of the trail was paved, much of it with cobblestones.

Grapes starting to form in the vineyards

A little church but closed and no view through the windows.

We stopped at a small café and bought a couple of rolls with ham and cheese which we ate as we walked - delicious fresh baked bread.

After about 2.5 hours we arrived at our Albergue. We were glad of the short day since we were in the hot sun in the afternoon and physically still working through the lost night on Sunday in the plane and the time zone change.

The albergue is nice and we quickly settled in. Showered, washed our clothes and went to the local bar for a drink since the internet in the albergue is very slow. However we only got the drink since the bar internet did not work at all! So I'm not sure when I will post this blog.

The albergue is next to the church where the clock chimes every 30 minutes. It is loud so let's hope it is silent at night. The weather is warm and we have the windows open!

We went to the restaurant next door for dinner which was more than we could eat for €7.00 plus wine.