It was a very mild night indeed, far warmer than any other night so far. I’d warn my thermals as a precaution as I was next to the coast but didn’t sleep very well at all. Apart from this the sun was rising and the coast looked angry leaving a gorgeous mist in the air along the coastline.
Cycled the fifteen miles to A Guarda, and boarded the ferry crossing to Portugal. The ferry across cost 75 cents, I was pleased with my bargain considering I’d have to cycle an extra 60 km to use the bridge up the estuary.
It was another hot day and I was already beginning to struggle. My arms and face were constantly wet and the salt kept getting into my eyes. It also drained me and fatigue hit me fast. Luckily the roads were a lot flatter than the previous day and I was just able to keep a pretty decent pace.
I’d forgotten that Portugal was on the same time as the UK and I’d actually gained an hour. So I ate quite early. Thanks to the GPS again I went over a few more hills on tiny tracks before following the signs to Porto. The road now was lovely and flat, it was still scorching hot, but I was able to get into a good rhythm.
It all went wrong at Pavoa De Varzim. I had stopped for a coke at a restaurant. As I left, I was waiting for a gap in the traffic on the restaurant car park when I heard the car next to me start up. Before I knew it, it was reversing back at me with some speed. I shouted but it was too late. It knocked me straight off the bike, I saw the bike go under the rear of the car as I hit the ground. A few people rushed out the restaurant to make sure I was ok. My left ankle and my hip hurt but I was more concerned about the bike. As far as I could make out the man that hit me was very apologetic. I checked the bike and took his phone number just in case. Everything seemed fine to my amazement, lets just hope nothing like that happens again. If I hadn’t come off the bike my leg could have gone under with the bike.
So I’d had enough, and decided to find the nearest camp site to lick my wounds and check my bike over. I’m just north of Porto now. I’ll probably give the sightseeing a miss as I have time to make up after the last two weeks in Santiago.