Vila’ Cha to Fao, a long day!!

There are A LOT of dogs in Vila’ Cha, and a good number of them enjoy barking!  It was an interesting night, but the morning dawned sunny and mild, we got over to the local coffee shop when they opened at 8:00 for coffee con laite, chocolate croissants, and orange juice.  We headed for the beach esplanade and boardwalks, and realized it was Saturday!  Everyone and their brother was out walking, running, exercising the dog, exercising the kiddos, cycling, playing pick-up soccer, sunning and generally enjoying the day.  We aimed for Vila’ do Conde and points north.

Our first stop for juice and a short rest was Povoa de Varzim, probably the most popular beach town

on Portugal’s northwest coast.  Proof?  The thousands of small cabanas being assembled this weekend in preparation for the summer ‘season’!  Each row was headed by four (always 4) wooden permanent cabanas, followed by frames for 30 to 50 canvas cabanas for summer daily rentals.  Erecting it all seemed to be a family affair for the owners or licensees of the cabanas, as we watched older sons with drill-driven augurs a couple of feet long poking holes into the sand as dads pushed in the support stakes while Moms sorted flooring squares (about 5x5).  The rows were individually named, usually by family surname but often with a creative commercial name such as ‘Sunny Gardens’ or ‘Joy by the Sea’.  Benny told us that the four permanent cabanas were for the rental office, snack bar, beach equipment rental, and the like.  A very handy item popular here, along with your beach umbrella, is a movable windbreak of nylon on poles that can be shaped as needed, and they’re very much needed!  The wind is great for keeping walking pilgrims cool, but chilly in a bathing suit at this time of year!

One of the most beautiful trees I’ve seen here is pictured below, I haven’t yet figured out its name, but I will!  An aside here - we have seen no native English speaking pilgrims yet!  Lots of German and French, Spanish and Portuguese of course, but no Canadians, Australians, British, etc.  Curious!

Anyway, I haven’t yet run into a fluent English speaker yet, so the opportunity hasn’t presented itself to ask about this tree.