Day 4 - Barcelos to Corvela - 21.3km

After a great night enjoying the fiesta and fireworks we were a little late setting off.

We did our morning stretches and left the accomodation around 8.45 following the same path through the town and passed the church of flowers. We had a great little coffee and figured we would put a few km under our belt before breakfast.

After 7km we finally found a cafe where we had great sandwiches and coffee whilst also picking up some lunch to carry for a hopefully nice spot.

The walking is much of a muchness at this point. The path is either tarmac or cobblestone winding through towns. There is not much dirt path or wooded areas. The never ending cobbles are a curse to the ankles and calves and this started to show for Tina as the day went on with her calves getting tighter and tighter. Frequent stretch stops did at least help ease it up and keep us moving forward.

At one point we turned a corner finding a beautiful spot where a bridge crossed the river where it widened with a little pool. We enjoyed our sandwiches and stood in the water to ease the leg pains. It helped a lot! We met an australian chap for the third time. The first time was at breakfast at 11 where he had a few large ports. We then saw him about 1 ish having a lunch with a bottle of wine. He appeared as we were relaxing and I was contemplating a swim. He felt his alcohol level was probably not conducive to a good swim. We had a good old chat in the sunshine before he carried on.

Another 5 or 6km of cobbles and we arrived at casa fernandes. We had seen this on a few camino videos and it has great feedback online and on the forums. The feedback is well deserved. We were greeted with a beautiful garden and outdoor area with around 12 other pilgrims. Fernanda was keeping herself busy as seems to be her way, making snacks, giving people wine and making sure everyone is happy. 35euro for bed, dinner and breakfast.

Whilst sat in the sun in the garden we had wine, beers, some freshly cooked dough balls, chorizo and sausage. At 7.30 ish we all moved into Fernandas kitchen where we were treated to a delicious vegetable soup followed by Bachalou (salted cod) garlic potatoes, roast chicken and salads. The wine flowed free and was followed by Port and Aguadente or as Fernanda called it "firewater". No Thanks!!

After dinner entertainment was thrust upon us. Or more specifically me as i was given a guitar and lyric sheets. I can neither play nor sing. But oasis was an option and you cant murder any of their songs more than they do. At least it got the party started.

The table was shoved back, YMCA and other terrible classics danced too.

The most amusing moment came when an american chap who couldnt get a word in around his wife decided to join in the dancing with a great deal of enthusiasm, becomming centre of attention, much to his wives chagrin! Bulldog chewing a wasp..

But it was an absolutely amazing chance to bond and meet other pilgrims.

Lights out at 10 so a big rush at 9.45 to get ready for bed. Mums first alburgue experiance. Lets hope she doesnt keep them all awake with the snoring!!

Night night!