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Camino Portuguese Monday 27/04/2026 Povoa de Varzim to Esposende

27/04/2026 Monday .
I'm so tired right now, but if I get behind on the journal I'll never catch up.
We had a late start today at 9.00am. It wasn't the plan but that's when we left. Todays walk started out along the board walks along the coast. In some places the sand dunes have decided to reclaim the boardwalks for themselves, so we were walking on sand.
Our procession line was the same as usual, Alison followed by Julie, Kim and me lagging behind. Lucky I have patient sisters who wait for me.
We decided to put our hands in the Atlantic Ocean, which wasn't as easy as it sounds with backpacks on. We all got our shoes wet, but unfortunately just as Kim got there her feet sunk a little then a small wave came in covering her shoes. Her shoes are waterproof, but not when the water goes over them and into the socks.
She changed into her sandals, which for some reason she put in her pack today. We all had socks or shoes hanging from our packs hoping to at least dry the socks.
We had morning tea at a cafe where we bought a cup of tea and ate cake from the breakfast buffet.
An hour and a half later we stopped at a trail side cafe for lunch. It looked like the lady had put tables and chairs in  her yard and was selling €1 drinks, coffee and €4 toasted sandwiches. Bathroom and pilgrim stamp available. That's all we needed.
After this stop we were road or trail walking. Kim decided to put her boots and socks back on (socks had dried but not the boots). Her feet were aching from the hiking sandals, so we ended up calling a taxi as she was in so much pain. I finally figured out how to add a phone number to Whats App as the driver wanted me to send my location. Yes I worked that out as well. 
10 minute wait turned into 1/2 hour, but the taxi finally arrived and she was off to the hotel. The rest of us continued on our walk, nearly losing our hats as the wind picked up in Fao. Not wanting to risk losing them walking over the bridge, we clipped them to our packs. From there it was walking on the foreshore esplanade until we finally reached our hotel around 7.00pm.
A very long day, so a cup of tea (lucky I brought my kettle) and a muesli bar for dinner. My legs are aching and I'm in need of electrolytes and Nurofen.
Good night all.

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