Author: Linda

By Hand – Oct. 4, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 21 / Apúlia to Chafé
  • Distance: 15.8 miles / Total 293 miles
  • Time: 8 hours
  • Ascent: 940’ Decent: 887’
  • Weather: 58-71 degrees, clear & sunny

That’s how it’s done, by hand. Stone roads are long lasting but murderous for long distance walking. Was it only yesterday when I was strolling on boardwalks by the beach?

Hand making streets.
Laying stone.
Sand fillings.

Trigger – Oct. 3, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 20 / Vila Chã to Apúlia
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 277.2 miles
  • Time: 8 hours
  • Ascent: 435’ Decent: 471’
  • Weather: 55- 70 degrees, clear & sunny

Unexpected things trigger vivid flashbacks. Yet, if asked to recall these memories, I couldn’t. It’s as if constant walking makes my mind more receptive to memories. How fortunate it is to remember so many fine people, places, and experiences.

Last night’s sunset.
The joy of flowers
Moor inspired architect.
Whimsical graffiti.

Surf City – Oct. 3, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 20 / Vila Chã to Apúlia
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 277.2 miles
  • Time: 8 hours
  • Ascent: 435’ Decent: 471’
  • Weather: 55- 70 degrees, clear & sunny

Surf City USA…make that Surf City…Portugal with amazing waves. One surfer looked as if he was shot from a canon with arms and legs fully splayed forming a huge “X” in the sky before crashing into the ocean. These waves aren’t for amateurs. Ericeira (25 miles from Lisbon) is ranked #6 as top ten surfing destination.

Huge waves.
Catch the curl.
Splash down.

Boardwalk – Oct. 2, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 19 / Porto to Vila Chã
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 260.6 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 400’ / Decent: 496
  • Weather: 55- 72 degrees, sunny

Walking by the water I’m energized. Wooden beach boardwalks replace hard pavement. No brutally hot sun…no flys, no mosquitoes. This starts the Portugal’s Coastal Route.

Porto is the starting point for many more pilgrims. They are now always in sight.
Boardwalks protection vegetation and sand dunes.
Beach
Crashing waves.
Beach traffic.
Bloom.

Malaika- Oct. 2, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 19 / Porto to Vila Chã
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 260.6 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 400’ / Decent: 496
  • Weather: 55- 72 degrees, sunny

According to my Porto “walking tour” guide, the musical Malaika started surfing in Portugal. That lead to a wave of surfers and national economic flow.

Yeap…all the dark spots are surfers.
Catching the wave.
Sun worshipers.
Beach blooms.

Companions – Oct. 2, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 19 / Porto to Vila Chã
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 260.6 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 400’ / Decent: 496
  • Weather: 55- 72 degrees, sunny

Barking security dogs are replaced by companion dogs. Not one barks!

Sweetie
A keeper.
She must spend more time on her hair than I do.
New variety of canine.

Atlantic Ocean – Oct. 2, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 19 / Porto to Vila Chã
  • Distance: 16.6 miles / Total 260.6 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 400’ / Decent: 496’
  • Weather: 55- 72 degrees, sunny

As densely populated Porto fades away in the dark, sunrise brings the Atlantic Ocean. I hear. I smell. I smile. I conquer.

Street art.
Finally a solution. Designated parking for intrusive rental scooters and electric bikes.
The smaller side of Porto.
Atlantic Ocean at sunrise.