Day 4 Vila do Conde - Póvoa da Varzim Sunday 29/July/2018


Day 4           Vila do Conde  -  Póvoa da Varzim          Sunday 29/July/2018
5.5 km         1 1/2 hrs.      One quick sitdown to find location of hotel
Last night we ended up in a large popular restaurant where they offered a pilgrim’s menu: a small bowl of vegetable soup, a huge plate with a large steak or fish plus mixed salad and rice and chips, followed by coffee for 5 euros. Drinks to be paid extra.

We took our time over getting up and breakfast, seeing today’s stage was so very short - that will change as from tomorrow: 26 km! All these places along the coast run into each other and look the same, small houses or apartment blocks, until you come to Póvoa da Varzim which is full of high rise, even very high rise, apartment blocks. And full of people along the beaches. This being Sunday there were not only the ones on holiday, but the weekenders as well. It reminded me of Copacabana.

Brillant sunshine and a nice breeze as before. Lots of people walking and running and cycling along the beaches. When we reached our hotel just before midday, we were told, check-in after 2 pm. So we dumped our packs and went out to find lunch at one of the many beachside eating places. Had fish of which I forgot the name with salad and a big potato, followed by icecream for Nicola and a beer for me. Back to our hotel and a long siesta for once.

 Meanwhile messages from the others - Clara and James got on their plane and have just landed. Andrea with Leo and Paulo got onto theirs and were an hour late taking off. The lot will meet eventually at Porto airport and come here by taxi, arrival at some time between 8 and 9 pm, I think.
  
Andrea has just texted
- “Still waiting for takeoff - in a plane without airconditioning!”  
- “Some valve not opening, they are trying to fix.... “
- “Opening aircraft door so we don’t suffocate...”

Will go out now for a walkabout....


PS   Andrea at 20:28 h: “Just landed! Two hours late!”


ANDREA LEAVING WITH LEO AND PAULO
ANDREA AVEC LEO AND PAULO SUR LE DEPART DE LA MAISON
JAMES AND CLARA.
LUTON AIRPORT
Hier soir on a atterri dans un immense restaurant populaire où était proposé un menu pour pèlerin.
Petit bol de soupe de légumes, énorme plat avec steak ou poisson et salade composée avec du riz et des chips. Puis un café, le tout pour 5 euros. Boissons en sus.
Ce matin on a pris notre temps pour se lever et déjeuner car l'étape était très courte, cela changera demain avec 26 km à parcourir! Le long de la côte tous les lieux se ressemblent : petites maisons ou immeubles jusqu'à ce que nous arrivions à Povoa da Varzim où les immeubles sont hauts voire très hauts. Beaucoup de gens sur les plages. C'est dimanche et en plus des vacanciers il y a ceux qui prennent leur week end. Cela me fait penser à Copacabana.

Beau soleil, petit brise comme les jours derniers. Plein de gens qui marchent, courent ou pédalent le long de la plage. Quand on a atteint notre hôtel juste avant midi on nous a dit qu'il fallait attendre 14 heures pour s'enregistrer. On a donc posé nos sacs et sommes sorties chercher notre repas dans un des nombreux restaurants du bord de plage. J’ai commandé du poisson je ne sait plus quelle sorte, avec salade et un grosse pomme de terre. Le tout suivi d'une glace pour Nicola et d'une bière pour moi. Retour à l'hôtel et grande sieste.
Dans l'intervalle on a reçu des messages du reste de l'équipe: l'avion de Clara et James venait de se poser. Andrea, Leo et Paulo sont en vol avec une heure de retard au décollage. Ils se retrouveront peut être à l'aéroport et arriveronts ici vers 8 ou 9 heures ce soir.
On sort pour une ballade.
Andréa: sms : en attente de décollage, pas d’air conditionné dans l'avion
problème mécanique, ouverture des portes, on respire mieux !
   
PS. Andréa a atterri à 20h 28. deux heures de retard









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