So…the impact of doing 32 km on one day is that the next day when you are only walking 23 km and it should be a breeze – is that it isn’t…we had many hills and the ups seemed to take their toll today. However, we made it, a little slower than we had predicted, but we made it none the less.
Our accomodation today – no one else here (including the owners😳)
The trails today were very much on mossy, green paths in between dry stone walls. Lots of shade and lots of green everywhere (as you can see in the photos). We were very pleased that whilst we were doing it slower, the scenery was great.
We are staying in a little village called Alvorge and we are slightly off the Camino proper. We had to report to the local cafe to get the keys to go to the house that we are staying in tonight. Although there are six bedrooms in the house, we are the only people staying. The house is typical of the region in that the walls are stone, terracotta floors and tiny windows (still can’t get used to that considering we tend to go the opposite way in Australia). Clearly, no airconditioning dictated keeping the places cool and warm depending on the season…we think.
Tomorrow we have a relatively short walk to Condeixa A Nova a night stope over as we head towards Coimbra where we will have a day off on Monday. A days off means we go hunting for a Lavadore to get the serious washing done. Dinner tonight is at the cafe down the road that the owner of the house runs. Last night was our first Pilgrim Menu – basically the staple that we ate last year ie three courses and a bottle of wine for 10 euro – food was great – wine was going down well – Lori enjoyed dessert and I had another glass of wine instead – let’s see what we get tonight.
I sip my morning cuppa, propped up on my pillows and imagine that I too could ‘hoof’ that pretty trail and enjoy the challenge of the UP and then more UP. But who am I kidding? I would be crying and whining and looking for a bus stop! So glad it is you two doing the hard yards and that you write so well, Allan, that we vicarious pilgrims can stroll along with you. Yes, we stroll whilst you ‘hoof’ 🤣😂
And more pictures of the reefs of hydrangea, please!
I was telling Stephanie about your second Camino last night and she asked me to pass on the following message:
“You are trying too hard Allan, I am going to heaven for just sitting on the sofa”.
Enjoy your day of rest even if it is spent in the lavadore.