Characters Along The Way – Antonio

Along any journey, one encounters some interesting characters. Meet Antonio! Yes, it’s the same Antonio who is featured in the Brierley guide on page 128. We were still 8-9 km from Barcelos and it was time for a break. In Pedra Furada we found the popular cafe/bar of the same name that has been owned and run by Antonio’s family for years. A small albergue has now been added for wornout pilgrims. Had we not had reservations further down the road, this is where we would have spent the night and had dinner. Photos of Antonio and various celebrities cover the wall. He appears to be in charge of everything from the bar to the albergue to the restaurant. If you’re coming up from either Vilarinho or Vila do Conde and don’t want the full 27+ km walk into Barcelos, Pedra Furada would be a great stopping point for the day. Bom Caminho!