Day 4 - 27.95km - Esposende to Viana do Castelo

After arriving last night and doing the laundry (every 3 days!!) we went for a nice meal and watched a beautiful sunset before a good night sleep looking forward to an amazing breakfast at Peppermint Brunch - just 2km into our walk today.

After checking out we wandered along the now familiar seafront promenades, dodging pedestrians, runners and cyclists. Our 2km warm up led to severe disappointment when peppermint brunch was closed! All the dreaming of eggs benedict dashed, we walked on to find the standard cafe with coffee and toast!

The vistas varied today, the promenade changing to wooden boardwalks (and a minor detour of 1km or so of these as Andrea thought the coast looked better than the yellow arrows...). The boardwalks changed again to the cobbled roads. We followed these through small towns and villages before we followed the yellow arrows (this time) along a forest path. The track wound through the trees with the sound of the river to our right until we came across an old stone bridge taking us over the water.

The path continued through trees occasionally back onto the cobbles as we marched on.

We have realised the "fun" stops somewhere between 20 and 25km after which point the body things it should lay down and sleep!

We pushed on through, with a couple of nice stops (the big picnic planket coming in handy) until we emerged from the trees to an area of umbrellas and music with a donation tin. Buckets of ice filled with bottles of beer, cans of pop, cakes, crisps, fruit. All on an honesty system., these little moments make it special, and reminded me of the "oasis del camino" on the Frances. And unexpected little moment.

Refreshed and smiling we hit out at the last 5km, which included the massive steel bridge leading into Viana. Its a pretty town, with a little monastary on top of the hill. I hadnt even finished the sentance "i bet the sunset is nice up there" before i got a death stare and a stern no!

The hotel sofa is looking great for the sunset.....

Have a great night pilgrims. Its another long one tomorrow!