Category: Portugues / Central

Bugs – May 31, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 1 / Coimbra to Anadia
  • Distance: 20.9 miles / Total 20.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,148’ / Descent: 1,048’
  • Time: 11 hours
  • Weather: 66 – 72 degrees / overcast and a bit humid

Once on the Portuguese Camino there were bugs in my bed. Planning for this Camino, I could not remember which albergue to avoid. That problem was resolved as I discovered tonight’s reservation was at that very same albergue! Being there I could vividly remember every horrible detail. Fortunately I did did not become a bug carrier. New reservations were made making my 16 mile day into 21 miles. The excessively long walk was somewhat repaired by a long soak in the tub.

Blooms
Today I heard churches chime at 8:00am and 1:00pm. The loveliest of sounds.
Soon wine.
Portuguese Tile

Remembering – May 31, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 1 / Coimbra to Anadia
  • Distance: 20.9 miles / Total 20.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,148’ / Descent: 1,048’
  • Time: 11 hours
  • Weather: 66 – 72 degrees / overcast and a bit humid

It’s strange what I can remember about this section of the Camino walked in 2022. Places where I ate. Pharmacies I restocked Compeeds for persistent blisters. Detours to the Decathlon sporting goods store. The bulk of the walk is as if I was seeing it for the first time.

Vintage tractors driven on streets is common sight.
Portuguese Tile
Though not to my liking, Bacalhau is the fish of the region.
The scallop is a symbol for the Camino

What Next? – May 31, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 1 / Coimbra to Anadia
  • Distance: 20.9 miles / Total 20.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,148’ / Descent: 1,048’
  • Time: 11 hours
  • Weather: 66 – 72 degrees / overcast and a bit humid

Having walked Møn Camino and gone to surf camp, I set out for the final leg of my summer travels. This section of the Portuguese Central Camino to Santiago de Compostelle will take 20 days.

Pre-dawn from my Coimbra balcony window.
Pre-dawn from my Coimbra balcony window.
This looks official enough.
Like the sitcom “Cheers” where everyone knows your name, the server knew his clientele. By the time a client sat, his preferred coffee drink and pastry had arrived.

Roman Passageways – May 30, 2023

  • Coimbra, 110 miles north of Lisbon
  • Weather: 68 degrees with overcast and rain sprinkles.

The Machado de Castra National Museum was built roughly on the sight of a Roman forum. The remains of the past can be visited on the lower floors of the museum. Ancient Roman covered passageways form semi-subterranean museum galleries.

Ancient Roman covered passageways.
Ancient Roman covered passageways.
Ancient Roman covered passageways.
Original Roman Porticos.

Old Cathedral – May 30, 2023

  • Coimbra, 110 miles north of Lisbon
  • Weather: 68 degrees with overcast and rain sprinkles.

The 12th century Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velho de Coimbra) is one of the finest Romanesque churches in Europe. It was the main cathedral-fortress in the Iberian Peninsula.

Old Cathedral of Coimbra
Interior Old Cathedral of Coimbra
Old Cathedral of Coimbra
First Gothic Cloisters in Portugal.