Vila do Conde → Santo Andre (13,6km)

I slept well last night and started the day slowly and relaxed. My neighbours were up earlier and I thought I could hear a child’s voice. Curious about it, I got up, made myself a cup of Earl Grey in the kitchen and was keen to have a chat with my neighbours – a young Asian couple – about the child’s voice.
Yesterday, I saw a woman with a 4–5-year-old girl and a father with two boys aged 6–7 walking the Camino, and I was impressed and enjoyed seeing them.
But after a chat with the Asian woman, it turned out that it was her voice and not a child’s at all. We did, however, have a nice conversation about the Camino, her rucksack – which was far too heavy (8-9kg) – and the blisters she’d got on her first day after walking 28 km. Now they’re planning to send some of their luggage on ahead to their next stop so they’ll have a lighter load to carry.
You see all sorts of pilgrims along the way. Most people travel in pairs or alone; it’s rare to see them in larger groups. Most carry rucksacks the same size as mine or larger. Occasionally, you’ll also see pilgrims with daypacks, or – very rarely – travelling without any luggage at all. Both options are only possible with a luggage service.

Before I set off further along the Camino, I stopped to tape up my slightly aching foot and made my way to a sports shop to look for a replacement for the lost end cap of my walking pole. They didn’t have one, so I’ll have to make do with my makeshift cork solution for the rest of the way. Anyway, today the route was mostly tarmac and cobblestones.

As I had plenty of time and couldn’t check in at my new accommodation until 4 pm, I did the same as yesterday: I spent a longer time relaxing on the beach. I found a lovely, sheltered, sunny spot with a magnificent view of the deserted beach and the roaring sea, and I felt happy and content.

Now I was feeling fit and walked at a fairly brisk pace for half an hour to Santo André, where I’d booked a cheap hotel by the beach, including breakfast.