Day two Vila do Conde to Esposende/Marinhas

At the Alburgue some pilgrims worried about the weather forecast of rain so some pilgrims decided to take the inland route instead of staying on the coast.  We opted to stay on course and it is a delightful decision as the coastal route is amazing with surprises at every turn!

 

From the Alburgue we made our way to the coast without the yellow arrow signs.  We were told not to follow the signs as it would lead us to the inland trail.  Once we got out of the city, the yellow arrows appeared and it was well posted all along our walk to Esposende, a beautiful coastal town.  Oh, but it was still a long way to get to Marinhas where the Alburgue was.  When you ask for directions they make it sound so close.  I was so exhausted.  This was another 30 km. Walk.

 We saw a lady at the grocery store.  Her English was great.  She gave us directions then saw us 30 minutes later still walking after she had done her errand on her car.  She offered to give one of us a ride as her car could only take one.  I quickly agreed and Dick  was going to continue walking.  She drove me to the Alburgue and I asked her to go back and pick up Dick because it was such a long and complicated way to find the Alburgue.  Christina was our angel that day.  The Portuguese are so amazing, always going out of their way to help us.  I was absolutely fried by the time we met her and was struggling to get to the Alburgue.  We invited her to have dinner with us, she stayed to chat but did not eat as her mother was expecting her for dinner.  What a sweet young lady, in her early 40's.