We left Porto pretty late in the afternoon after spending more time than we thought watching the Red Bull Air Race, it was a roasting day and we had to quench our thirst with many Super Bocks from the Red Bull promo trailer. Can you believe that a beer was only 1 euro!! At home event beers are usually 3 times the price of a regular bar and the event is filled with chavs, a very different experience on the continent - we love Porto (not to mention the port). The ...

Leaving the beach behind we headed to the market in Barcelos, an attack on all the senses, actually that sounds a little harsh, it´s a place which infiltrates all your senses if you want it to. Chickens with their feet tied together, lovebirds/rosellas/cockatiels/ (all part of the illegal bird trade) fluffy white rabbits in cages for sale, freshly baked bread, fruit and veggies from ripe purple figs to passion fruit, any type of dodgy spandex outfit in fluoresc...

This morning we breakfasted by the river and then headed up to the tourist office to find some info on walks in the national park. The woman who in her words ´spoke little English´ proceeded to give us a detailed analysis of all the walks in the entire park. The maps were amazing and it really put the Picos de Europa´s tourist info service to shame. So, if you´re ever passing through there make a stop, Ponte da Barca Turismo - the dog´s balls of info centres...

Breakfast by the river and then headed up to the tourist office to find some info on walks in the national park. The woman who in her words ´spoke little English´ proceeded to give us a detailed analysis of all the walks in the entire park. The maps were amazing and it really put the Picos de Europa´s tourist info service to shame. So, if you´re ever passing through there make a stop, Ponte da Barca Turismo - the dog´s balls of info centr...