Barcelos to Ponte de Lima: learn from my stupidity

[gyro]

Dear all,
Just to prove how stupid a grown man can be....

A few days ago, I walked the gentle 16km from Rates to Barcelos, arriving before noon. I decided to continue along the path in the direction of Ponte de Lima. I would - I felt sure - pick up accommodation along the way. There are a number of quintas and "bars with accommodation" mentioned in various places.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I finally arrived in Ponte de Lima at 8.30. Luckily, I got into the first hotel in the town. 50km (Rates '-Ponte de Lima) in one day is just plain stupid. I should be old enough and experienced enough not to leave myself with such a long plod. My advice therefore is obvious --arrange for accommodation or transport before you set off from Barcelos.

It is one thing to journey in faith, quite another to commit oneself to stupid physical demands.
older, if not wiser,
Gyro

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Gyro - I'm sorry this happened to you. As you have discovered the accommodation on the Camino Portugues isn't as developed as the Camino Frances and really the route has to be done in stages - and I agree is it often best to phone ahead to book accommodation. The problem with using the albergue at Rates is the short day ahead to Barcelos so I can well understand your eagerness to carry on. I see from the CSJ guide that there is accommodation at the Quinta de Albergaria which from memory is about 12 kms short of Ponte de Lima:

Albergaria - Facha
4990-600 Ponte de Lima
Telephone:
(+351) 258 942 241
(+351) 966 492 309
Fax:
(+351) 258 943 063
E-mail:
quintadealbergaria@sapo.pt
Web page: http://www.quintadealbergaria.com

But that doesn't do you much good now. I hope the rest of you pilgrimage goes well.

What's the weather like?

John

 

[gyro]

I hope the rest of you pilgrimage goes well.

What's the weather like?

John

Dear John,
Many thanks for posting this information. I am sure it will be useful for other pilgrims.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the pilgrimage. The weather has been quite wet, with rain showers most days. The Spanish press --surprise, surprise-- are making a story out of this, stating that there is a condition of "yellow alert" in 14 provinces.

And on we go
Gyro

 

[ivar]

It was nice to meet you today Gyro!

Well done you made it!

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[jeff001]

This is a demonstration of the advantage of having a good guidebook. My copy of the Brierley guide says of the route from Barcelos to Ponte de Lima "This is the longest and most arduous of all the stages . . .(and)there is no alternative accommodation directly on the route."