Day 24 - To Rubiaes

Our washing did dry last night and our stay in the apartment in Ponte de Lima had been very comfortable and enjoyable. We really think that this was a place we could return to some day.

Today we had an early breakfast, just at the cafe adjoining the apartment, we'd tried to make an early start today as the middle part of the walk is over probably the highest post of this whole route. We have been told by several guide books, and people that have done the walk, that the top part of the climb is hard. We'll see, but just in case we want to get there before the hottest part of the day

We left by crossing over the bridge to that part of town on the other side of the river. We hadn't done so yesterday as we'd found plenty of interest on the initial side. The town over there continued to be very interesting as we left on yet another day with sun from the start. Bernard caught up with us as we left town, but soon moved on as he walks faster than us.

Again we walked steadily through wonderful countryside, stopping off for an early coffee, where we meet a chatty French couple.  This was a change from meeting new German people. It's amazing that almost everyone we have met lately have been from Germany.

Eventually we started "The Climb". Initially it didn't seem too bad, some steep sections interspersed with more level ones.

But the steep sections started to be much more common and the track surface deteriorated from being very good to being very tricky with lots of loose stones. In some places it could only be called a scramble.

Fortunately the trees provided some shade, as the sun was very hot, as we expected. This part of the route must be virtually impossible on heavy rain as most of the pathways you walk along are obvious water runoff channels.

We did, of course, eventually reach the top at Alto da Portela Grande. This is the viewing area at the top where everyone recovered and enjoyed the view.

It was made extra special as just nearby one of the German women we'd met before was playing a tune on a flute, or perhaps a recorder. Very relaxing.

It was a long, but much easier, walk downhill. On the way down we meet up with Bernard again at a small cafe. Time for sandwiches and beer.  We'd rung ahead to book beds in an albergue run by a lady called Marlene, who provided us with a great welcome. We were the first there, I don't know how as lots of people had passed us earlier, but turned up later.

We were amused somewhat by Marlene's puppy who took great delight in trying to steal people's boots as they removed them prior to going into the albergue.

In the evening we, the French couple from early in the day, and a Dutch couple we met at the albergue, all went down to the village for a meal together. Very appropriate as we'll all be sharing a room tonight.