#70thbirthday #reasontocelebrate #love
Ponte de Lima, Portugal
Happy birthday Scott, Kim and Mary!
May 27, 2016
Today we walked a quick 8.9 miles with about 20 other pilgrims. It’s like an accordion – you bunch up and expand – bunch up and expand.
We took our last “vacation” day yesterday to visit the town of Braga – rich in history and known to have the first cathedral in Portugal. Originally, we were supposed to celebrate Bill’s birthday on this vacation day but like the weather (literally and figuratively) plans change….
*** I changed the settings on this blog so you can now comment easily – no form to fill out. Please add your name if you want so I know who to respond to. XOXO
The good news – today was the most beautiful of the Camino so far. Rolling hills with old stone buildings, rich dark brown tilled farmland, freshly sprouted corn rows and heavy with the smell of manure.
Since we managed to stay on the correct Camino today – we finally met up with other Pilgrims. All die hards. The walk continues in rain or shine.
The sun starting peaking out just about an hour or two before we got to our final destination of Barcelos. Our clothes dried but the shoes are still sloppy.
43,103 steps and 18.47 miles.
Our day did not look like that. We had small towns, eucalyptus forests, hot houses, rockslide, detours, dirt paths, Hugh inclines and a marvelous day filled with the ever present f-ing dog barking.
The reason is – we walked 9 miles east of the Camino – following the yellow arrows the whole way! What the heck? Who put them there and why?
Miraculously we came upon a BMW filled with 4 people who with Darrell and Roxanne and weird cirtumstances too long and crazy to explain – determined that we were WAY off course. They became our saviors – ordered taxis to the town we were supposed to be in – Vilarinho (only 2 hours and 45 minutes away by walking).
Chappy, Rich, Ricardo, Grande, Cheapy, Richard and Dick has acquired a few new names along the Camino – Chapmeister, Cheapmeister and Ricky Alan not to mention the new 2 blisters on his toes. Every step reminds him that he’s alive!
My Fitbit said we walked 39,604 steps and 16.76 miles. Chappy’s GPS said 18.1 miles. Tomorrow should be around the same.
Rumor has it that more people start their Camino here so we expect a crowd.
We climbed straight uphill out of Agueda into a commercial area – our first experience with traffic lights – they cause congestion – roundabouts keep the traffic moving.
No highways today!
Wooded paths, floral paths, a few muddy paths and small town streets.
Today we feasted on Mealhada’s local speciality Leitão à Bairrada (suckling pig). Delicious!
36,654 steps and 15.53 miles.
Short day but our legs and feet are trashed – eating Ibuprofen like candy.
We mostly walked the highway – sharing the road. It was loud, dangerous and DRY – skirting the low laying muddy paths.
On the backroads Bill charmed a group of women – offered a sweet woman his walking sticks in exchange for her cane. She kindly accepted and didn’t want to give them back.
Darrell found a great little apartment in Coimbra for tonight – wall to wall laundry.
We started today in the fog – it was cool, mystical and invigorating -lifting by noon.
We endured – walked 46,881 steps and 19.91 miles.
Now in Rabaçal, Portugal. Our pension is marginal at best. The only game in town. 29 beds but private rooms – $15 euro per person – sheets and scuzzy blankets – no towels. It’s a bed and we’re grateful.
Today was our 2nd first day. 4 days ago we started the Camino only to be waylayed by the rain and flooding.
We moved to higher ground and started again today in Tomar. A quaint town with a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Templar Castle and Convent de Cristo.
Portugal is in bloom – limes, oranges, loquats, calla lillies, roses, bottle brush, fushias, poppies, lemons, figs, grapefruit, daisies, pansies, birds of paradise, carnations, iris and numerous more….
If we weren’t walking on pavement we were walking in mud. Tip toeing around trying to find the driest areas. The previous rain still seeping out of the earth.
We marveled in the beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery and camaraderie.
Ultimately, it kicked our asses!
45,162 steps – 19.11 miles.