Category: Portugues / Coastal

Double-Up – Oct. 6, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 23 / Vila Praia de Ancora to Vila Nova de Cerveira
  • Distance: 14.7 miles / Total 324.4 miles
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 681’ Decent: 644’
  • Weather: 62-73 degrees, clear & sunny

Strategic planning lets me double-up. After today’s 14 mile walk, I grab a train followed by a taxi to Tui, Spain. It’s a crown jewel on the Portugués Camino Central Route. The second time I walked past the convent, the door was open. Inside I was greeted by a visitor. She explained the five resident cloistered nuns made and sold the most delicious cookies. Who could resist? To prevent interaction with the secular world, a revolving pass-through door was used. This enabled the nun (50-years in residence) to sell me cookies without setting eyes on me.

Convent
Some never leave once they enter…
Passageway.

Hang Out – Oct. 6, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 23 / Vila Praia de Ancora to Vila Nova de Cerveira
  • Distance: 14.7 miles / Total 324.4 miles
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 681’ Decent: 644’
  • Weather: 62-73 degrees, clear & sunny

It’s got to be good if the locals are waiting for the café to open. These were regulars. Coffee and Port came without ordering. John Travolta’s Staying Alive played on the flat screen TV. For me, a jam and butter roll with a double expression are perfect.

First customers, the regulars.
If you start the day with Port, how do you finish the day?
Morning pink sky mimicked by the ocean.

Baby on Board – Oct. 6, 2022

  • Portuguese Camino: Day 23 / Vila Praia de Ancora to Vila Nova de Cerveira
  • Distance: 14.7 miles / Total 324.4 miles
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Ascent: 681’ Decent: 644’
  • Weather: 62-73 degrees, clear & sunny

Baby on board. Stackable…backpack, baby seat. When mother and baby took the bed beside me, I admit I was less than hospitable. Think about it from the mother’s perspective as she could never set the baby down. No showers or trips to the toilet without infant. Feeding is simple…breast feed. But what about the diapers? I can’t imagine a box of pampers in her backpack. I hadn’t the constitution to ask.

Mom and baby nap after early morning feeding.
Osprey baby- carrier backpack.
Eight month old baby girl. FYI Mother buys Pampers on the Way.

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.