To Albergaria

Walking on the N1. Not our favorite.  The Camino association is trying to keep pilgrims off the roads where there is little to no shoulder,  so the route seems to be changing all the time.  Unfortunately right now it is unavoidable.  It's a whole another facet of energy expended when you are constantly having to remain vigilant in traffic.  Not to mention the constant road noise.  Not peaceful.  We do get some wooded track and some small village travel but they do not drive slow ever.

Today we only walked 16.3k or 10.1 miles from Agueda to Albergaria.  We think most other pilgrims might have pushed on the next town that has a new albergue.  We are both just feeling like we want to slow down the stages a bit.  Why not if we have the luxury of time? We met a group of Australians and a couple of New Zealanders.  We decided that they are our favorite nationality on these Caminos. Didn't take long til we were all laughing about various things.  Michael, the only guy in the bunch of 5, and John both decided they would punch John Brierley in the head if they saw him again. It's always fun to blame someone right?  Just kidding. Love those Ozzies.

We got a private room at the Casa de Alameda for 35€. Old. Like a creaky dark haunted house.  But quiet.  Wandered around town after showers and had a beer and vino Branco (white wine ) and found the grocery. Went to the attached restaurant for dinner where the proprietor showed me the entire raw fish he could serve me if I wanted it. It looked beautiful so I agreed.  I was not sorry.  It was really good.  Even John thought so and he's not a big fish fan. Served with potatoes and rice like everything.   I had the delicious melon for dessert.  We dined in a big dark room with ancient looking wine barrels from which our jug of vino Tinto was filled for dinner. It was delicious!  We spoke with the owner who told us all about the economic woes, both nationally and his own,  and I said I would recommend his restaurant to pilgrims.  We and one other person were the only ones to eat in the restaurant all evening.

After a night on a bed that felt like cement and a pillow that was even harder,  I am looking forward to our night tomorrow in Olivera  at the 4 star Dighton Hotel.  Cost is on par with a Comfort Suites but luxury comparable to an at least  $200 a night hotel in the US.  Very worth the five hours of walking to get there.