7 February to Sao Bartolomeu de Messines

Another long day of some 27.6 km and an 1104 m elevation gain. It started well at the Hotel Vila Sodre with an impressive breakfast (two types cheese, ham, two types of bread, curds with jam, two types of little tarts, etc.) served with a smile.
The early part of the walk involved going up and down hills in woods of young eucalyptus or scrub, then there was a lengthy section along a reservoir before the final push over a hill into Bartolomeu de Messines. Being Sunday people were out enjoying themselves. I was passed by a bevy of cyclists in black lycra, a group of dirt bike riders, people out for walk or out fishing.
On arrival at the Bartolomeu Guesthouse I discovered it was carnival time. There were floats pulled by tractors and people dancing behind them dressed as red Indians or something out of Frozen.