Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Vila do Bispo

Last night stayed at a nice B&B in Carrapateira. Gorgeous sandy beach, thundering rollers in to the cliffs. Still amazed at the precarious places fishing is done. Relatively easy walk today assisted by a helpful ex-pat English last. Now at a quiet town of Vila do Bispo. 14 somewhat difficult kms tomorrow and we reach Cabo de São Vicente, the lower left corner of Portugal. Body is holding up really well, but I am looking forward to heading home next week.








Monday, March 28, 2016

Some days later at Arrifana

Now at the youth hostel in Arrifana on the coast again  Yesterday was meant to be a short walk of only 12 kms from Aljezur. Creatively we stretched that to more than 18. Picking up the red and white markers we followed the trail out of town, climbing ever upwards until we could see the sea again. But hang on, it is on our left. It seems we had picked up the Via Algarviana trail by the church and gone in the wrong direction. Back to town. The real trail of the Rota Vicentina also leaves by the church. The other church. The one in the old town. Climbed up to the Aljezur castle. This castle is one of 7 represented on the Portuguese flag. Church, the correct one is 300m from there. Of we go now on the right trail. Nice walk with a couple of breath sapping hills. Ran into our v German friend Jorgen coming the other way. He also is staying at this hostel. A gorgeous, modern hostel it is. Good bar and can provide dinner and breakfast.













Thursday, March 24, 2016

To Almogarve.

Tough little walk today. Only 15kms, but the sand knocks it out of you. Scenery was superb, cliffs, waves, spray, sea birds. Had a short half an hour nap about half way. Deep in thought. Divine. Hit town, sunk some beer, made the acquaintance of a nice German chap. Tomorrow 22kms, ugh.


















Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Porto Covo to Vilanova da Milfontes

Sorry about the lack of pictures. They are on Facebook as my blogger app does not like uploading pictures from an external SD card. Will put up pictures when I return to Oz.
A difficult walk today of about 20 kms along the beach, cliffs and sandy paths. Very scenic but tough on the legs. The heights were a challenge too. Another difficult but shorter stint tomorrow. We are now on the fisherman's trail for a little bit as we swap back and forth between them. Lovely, lovely part of the world.

  


  







  

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Cercal do Alentejo to Porto Covo

Very pleasant walk today. Was just Siggi and I, as Steve took a taxi as was not well. Now at seaside at Porto Covo. With the wind whipping off the Atlantic is a bit cool.
An ode to Lefty.
My dear. After all our time together you start to complain. You rub my instep. So we have to come to a new understanding. I will not do up the top lacing and you will not complain again, please. Tomorrow or the day after we will discuss again. Thank-you Lefty.


        


        


        

        


      

Monday, March 21, 2016

Cercal do Alentejo

Another nice walk today. Little under 20 kms to Cercal do Alentejo. Morning good, with a little fog to start. Rained in the afternoon. Stayed at a lovely spot last night. Joining us for dinner, 2 Danes, 2 Austrians, and our German, English and Australian team. 2 Italians were also at breakfast. Dinner was vegetable soup, followed by a potato and fish bake, vino tintho & vino tintho. Very nice.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Day one of Rota Vicentina.

End of day one on the Vicentina. Staying at a lovely spot, Moinhos do Paneiro ( or something close to that). 22 km of lovely back trails from Santiago de Cacem to Vale Seco, some water and mud because it rained overnight. Gorgeous scenery. Posts might be scarce as phone signal weak.


Friday, March 18, 2016

Fatima!

That was an unusual day. Climbed two mountains. Spent the first part of the morning playing leapfrog with the Dutch lady, as we alternately sped or were passed. Mountain 1 was massive, glad for the training I did with Chris before I left home. Climbing the second mountain I came across the Dutch lady broken down on the narrow trail, with a blown knee. She was pretty upset. Miles from any help. Long story short, I accompanied her in from there carrying her pack too, with her using my poles. 17 kms of 2 packs. Took it slow and steady. Steve had already caught a lift to Fatima as he was poorly. We arrived mid-afternoon. Strangely felt quite flat when I got here, and unsurprisingly very tired. Big worshipping area and lots of people. At night almost abandoned.








Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Nascent do Alviela

That was a long tiring, beautiful day. Now staying at Nascente do Alviela after about 30 kms or more. My vivofit says just under 32. Took the long way in, arriving close to sundown. The Dutch lady was here, apparently told them we were coming, but she found a shorter path. We were lucky to get beds as the alberque folk were about to shutdown for the night. Anyway what wonderful scenery. We are now well in the hills, plenty of climbing and descending today and apparently tomorrow is worse. Once we got off the blacktop roads was gorgeous. Life is good, we hope to reach Fatima tomorrow night.






Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Another day in Santarem.

Rainy day. So we stayed another day. Explored Santarem. City of heaps of old churches and a fort.
Dinner tonight at the hostel in Santarem, TV is on with the Clipsal 500 showing! Nice chill out day exploring Santarem when the rain stopped. 28 km tomorrow. Goodnight