Walking across Europe

Daily Information

Planned Distance: 18.7 kms
Actual Distance: 19.8 kms

Planned Elevation G/L: 169 m (170) m
Actual Elevation G/L: 149 m (140) m

Cumulative Information

Planned Distance: 18.7 kms
Actual Distance: 19.9 kms

Planned Elevation G/L: 169 m (170) m
Actual Elevation G/L: 149 m (140) m

Stingy Nomads website was created by a couple with extensive walking experience. Their website is superb and was utilized extensively in planning the Fisherman's Walk. On a daily basis their published Highlights and Challenges will be displayed...we will see how this stacks up against our walking experience!

Stage Description - Stingy Nomads Highlights & Challenges

"Highlights

Many unspoiled sandy beaches; Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro, Praia dos Aivados, Praia do Saltinho, Praia dos Nascedios, Praia do Malhao. Every time we got a chance we took off our shoes and walked barefoot on the beach, basically first 10 km you can walk on the beach.
Wildflowers along the trail (we walked the Fishermen’s trail in May).
A couple of stork nests on the edges of the cliffs.

The entire walk was one big highlight we loved it despite the tough part of walking on sand.

Challenges

Walking on sand was quite difficult, our shoes were full of it, and it didn’t help to shake it out because it got in immediately.
No place to stop for food or water for 16 km after the restaurant at Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro."

An amazing day walking with constant National Geographic views throughout the day. Above Stingy Nomad description is accurate.

First back to last night where I did not have the « most fun ever » Trying to insert photos to my blogpost I kept getting an error message something like « Google login invalid or cookies 🍪 must be allowed » All kinds of rabbit hole type of excursions popped up…almost certainly created by System Architects ». No dice. Fool mood set in.

Leonard suggested a place for supper where we could see the sunset. I agreed I needed to get out…no question if I can’t include photos in blogposts…I will not post. I am not trying to win a Pulitzer Prize for my writing…however I could fluke out a nice picture.

Supper was very good…

Returning…the miracle happened…I was able to change my Google password and all was good again for blogging. 😊 As I woke up my Apple Mail account is screwed up « something about credentials $*^#%€ » however my GMail account which I never use is working. 😅.

As per usual it takes some time to get in the swing of things. Of note…

- Thorough check of room before leaving required, leaving the room and dropping key in drop box. 15 minutes later eating my nice breakfast I get a flash thought « where is my Patagonia wind shell »!!!

I don’t have it!!! So I scamper back to our accommodation…buzz the innkeepers…fail to communicate with the husband however his wife brilliantly helps me out. Lockbox, code, spare key and voila there under a spare chair my Patagonia rain shell. 👍

- Wikilocs chews up battery if not used properly…new phone…49% battery after 4 hours…something is wrong! Flashback « choose right trail…airplane mode…low battery mode » All

missed today! Ok good for tomorrow.

Overall I found todays walking quite manageable…early a few smallish ravines requiring some careful rock scrambling. Careful foot planting an absolute requirement as twisting an ankle early would NOT be good! I cannot imagine having done this in rainstorm.

A few smallish streams where I did not spend much time « figuring out the best way »…barge in ankle deep…get wet.,, keep walking and the shoes will dry out…all is well 😊.

Then calming beach walking, cliff top walking which felt very safe as long as one sticks to the path and not go a meter or so to the right 😳

We met at least a dozen walkers along the hike. I recall 5 German, 2 Dutch young women all likely 1/3 our ages. A fellow German fellow, young Portuguese guy and Horst from Austria.

Horst is likely in his mid 70’s+…walking as far as his knees hold up…I inspiring and really pleasant. I hope we meet again on the trail.

No issues of note walking…I wore gaiters and got a bit of sand in my HOKA Speedgoats. Sand walking is tough in spots however less than I expected. Leonard wore his Salomon hiking boots and no gaiters. After stopping 3 times to empty his boots of sand he did mention that he may move to my approach for tomorrow.

First day notes for others 1) signage for the most part is quite good however there are areas where it is non existent…GPX tracks are quite useful. Many little paths…ocean to the right can’t go too far wrong 2) gaiters and trekking poles are very good choices. 3) respect paths on cliff tops…a long way down if you stray.

Finally we arrived at Vila de Milfontes just in time for the 3rd period of the Canada 🇨🇦 US 🇺🇸 Gold Medal game. With a bit of help to setup the tv …beer and chips (thank you Leonard) we watched the game! This is exciting until it’s not. That’s all I want to say about this 😢 too darn painful!

On to tomorrow…a shorter day. Day 1 was spectacular and a great start

Some pictures from the day…Frankly there is absolutely NO way I can even come close to capturing the scenery. Hopefully one or two will capture your interest.