We have made it a habit to have breakfast at 7.30 and to get on the road by 8.00. Why 7.30? Because that is the time kitchens seem to open here. Fortunately for me, kitchens do not open earlier!!
The day proved to be a heavy one with a lot of climbing. In total, we climbed almost 1.300 m. As I explained in previous notes, climbing generally requires more battery usage. Today that certainly was true. One of our batteries (Jaaps) run out out of power. Miraculously, this happened 150 meters from the corner of a restaurant where we could eat and recharge.
I almost run out of battery getting to Porto. Just one of 5 bars of charge left. Does not cutting it so short. As indicated before, running out of battery is a disaster since biking without battery power is not an option. Way too heavy to pedal and so move the bike. The only option left then is to walk with the bike.
we found an old timer car (photo) that gave us a tour of the city that left us on the other side of the river Douro to have a beer on the riverside.
Since we are nearing Santiago faster than we had anticipated, we agreed to take it somewhat easier tomorrow and leave somewhat later.
Note: Looking at the river from the bridge you get de impression that the left and right bank form the same city. In reality, there are two cities: south of the river Douro, the city is called Vila Nova de Gaia; north lies the city of Porto.
