Tuesday 19 September

 We leave Carminha and head off South towards Porto but first stop at Viana do Castello with its famous basilica of Santa Luzia which is on a hill above the town. To get to it we take the funicular.  Amazing views from the top over the Atlantic, across the river Lima and down the sandy coast. We go even higher ascending the steep narrow steps to the top of the dome. 

Then a visit to the beautiful old town with its narrow streets radiating from the main square. We head towards O Pescatore for lunch.  An authentically Portuguese fish restaurant. We have mussels, clams, chestnuts with mushrooms and fried sardines with tomato risotto. 

Then onwards to our campsite near Porto. We’ve chosen this one because of its transport links to the city. The lady in the shop bakes us some bread and tells about Luis De Camoes who is the Portuguese Shakespeare. She was born in South Africa and speaks Afrikaans, Dutch, English, Spanish and Portuguese. Not bad! Bread and cheese for supper in the van. 













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