1st day on the WAY ,Porto to Villa de Condo

 It’s always a long day, day one will make or break you, but we made it with some trepidation. Mary Beth was a trooper, I on the other hand, was not that comfortable, it’s been awhile and I forgot I’m older since the last go round.

Bom Camino is Portuguese, BUEN Camino is Spanish, it all means “ have a good pilgrimage”

A larger than life camino way marker

We left Porto, and dropping down to the beach in Matasinhos, we walked into a coffee shop near the harbor, before the devil in Mary Beth got out and took control, once we had finished her morning coffee therapy, we crossed the River Ave via the Ponte Movel opening bridge, that in itself being considered the official start of the coastal way.



For about15 miles, we walked the beaches and dunes along a continuous wood boardwalk,  last time I came through here, most of the boardwalk had not been built. I don’t think anywhere else in the world has one this long.


Crab traps at the old fishing village

Start of the 15 miles of wooden boardwalk

There were time one or the other of us started to feel the strain, but that’s the Camino, you just walk through it and focus on the goal,,,,Santiago.some of the local fishing villages today were just quaint, but smelly










Closer to today’s end and the boardwalk seemed to never end. I was grateful for it as it’s easier on the legs, but at least we didn’t have to hike the soft sand




Villa de Conde was our goal for today, we found a cute little hotel in the harbor with a balcony overlooking the water, then ordered Vino Verde, that’s a local green wine which I happen to love.

All the restaurants are closed until 7 pm, so I guess I get to starve till then…….naaaaa, not likely.

Our little stop over is great, we showered and grabbed a bottle of wine, then sat on the balcony and watched the world go by


Tomorrow is a longer day, but till then, we’ll,,,,,,,,I met a guy

 Bom Camino

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