Camino Portuguesa

First day leaving Porto I thought these cops on bikes were looking at Rob with suspicion:

Along the Duoro River was pleasant enough

Surprised by a touch of NZ

A huge ancient obelisk 

But we had to walk on miles of tarmac, cobblestones and endless boardwalk. Both my legs started playing up.

Decided these statues were actually pleadingfor the Atlantic gale force winds to stop....

Because once we passed the river mouth and turned north all hell broke loose. We were sandblasted until every orifice was full of sand. Whose stupid idea was this? 

After 33 killer kilometers we staggered into the albergue in Vila do Conde to be told it was full, but we could have a mattress on the floor if we liked. NO WAY.

Got sent up the road to a hotel and at first we thought this was it:

Turned out to be a lovely place next door. Decided then and there to get off the coastal route and head inland tomorrow.