Viana Do Costelo – Vila Praia de Ancora
I am still excited to get up in the morning and get my day started. I went downstairs for breakfast (and as always making an extra sandwich to take with me). Today, I sat with an Australian couple that I had met briefly the night before. I was at the reception desk and they asked about the accommodation – was it nice? I assured them it was. Turns out they have been doing the path in reverse. They started in Santiago de Compostela and are working their way down to the south of Portugal. They were planning to take a couple of months to do this. Really nice people with a positive attitude!
Started the day with a photo taken by Terry (they do a selfie every morning). There are two paths out of Viana do Costello – we chose to take the one by the ocean. The coast is much more rugged now. We passed by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Agonia on the way out of town. Along the coast, we explored the Forte da Vinha, one of the four forts built between Viana do Castela and Caminho (the last city on the North Coast of Portgual) in the 1600’s to suppress frequent pirate raids. After the fort, Rosie and Terry walked ahead. I was happy to be a little slower and to stop and take photos.
On the way out of town 
Rosie and Terry 
Today was going to be a day of windmills (none active), and they started appearing along the coast around Areosa. Interestingly, there were modern wind turbines on the hills nearby. Further along the coast there was a confusing trail (that I finally figured out) up a hill to a property with three more windmills. Then the path meandered along the coast through scrubby heather and other plant life.
Further along the coast there was a confusing trail (that I finally figured out) up a hill to a property with three more windmills near Carreco. Then the path meandered along the coast through scrubby heather and other plant life. Parts of this section reminded me of the Oregon coast. (click on the arrows below to scroll t
The path headed inland for a while with a little change of scenery. I caught up to Rosie and Terry again and walked with them for a little while.
In a few kilometers, we are back on the path by the ocean, sand dunes and nearing the town of Vila Praia de Ancora.
The entrance to the town was a little whimsical. It took a little while to find my hotel (Hotel Meira) as the train runs through the middle of this little beach town! I have to admit I struggled today. The distance was much shorter that the previous days, but I was tired and perhaps a little dehydrated.
I had a rest in the hotel, then wandered down to the beach. Found a nice patio for a late lunch and a beer and started to feel better. Back to the hotel for another rest so I could head out later for some sunset shots. It was a beautiful evening for my last night in Portugal (on my Camino). This is a lovely low-key beach town. Tomorrow I will be in northwest Spain.
Expected distance today 18.3 km. Actual distance walked 21.7 – 28,901 steps
Lynne, What beautiful pictures! Thanks again for sharing!
Lynda
Amazing scenery and experience!