Tag 1 - from Porto to Labruge

The first stage is done😃 And so am I...😉🙈

To start the day, I had a generous breakfast with a very good, fresh orange juice and a verrrrry strong coffee. I felt prepared for the upcoming day... I was bid farewell with lots of hugs and then set off on Av. Boavista, which I could follow straight until the sea. It didn't seem too far on the map...🤔

After about 3km, I reach the sea and encounter the first fellow pilgrims. What stands out already is that the majority of pilgrims seem to be from Germany - I haven't met many from other countries yet... At the beginning, the path is not very picturesque - it passes by the harbor, crosses a large bridge, and then continues through Matosinhos.

But already on these few kilometers, I notice two things: 1. The locals are very friendly and helpful! Whether you need directions, a comforting pat on the shoulder, or a stamp in your pilgrim's passport - you simply get it😉😁 2. 100g becomes 1kg along the way - I've been thinking all day about what I can leave behind, but I still haven't found a solution. Many people have really small backpacks, which makes me feel a bit oversized... but well, I have to carry it myself after all🤐

In Matosinhos, I continue along the promenade and from there onto the well-known wooden paths that lead along the coast for the rest of the day. I am lucky because the sun is shining, the sea breeze is pleasantly refreshing, and the constant sound of the waves offers a wonderful backdrop for the first day. After about 20 km, I join Anne, Alexandra (both from Freiburg), and Francesco (from Switzerland), and we walk the last 3km of the day together before they turn off to the hostel and I continue the last 500m to my B&B. At least Anna and Alexandra also have such big backpacks, which immediately makes them likable to me😜 Somehow I'm really exhausted - apparently my legs don't handle the additional weight as effortlessly as I had hoped. But after a warm shower, a walk by the sea, and a very "interesting" dinner (toast with steak, sausage, ham, egg, and cheese drowned in spicy gravy😳😋), I feel fine and now it's time to read about tomorrow's stage and go to bed. Let's see how far my feet will take me tomorrow...😎🙃😴 Unfortunately, the weather forecast doesn't look too promising☔️🌊🤞🏻