Monday 5 March 2018

Camino Portuguese (March 5, 2018) - Day 2 Parque de Nações to Vila Franca de Xira

Brutal! Today was my 90th day of walking Camino trails and I will remember it very fondly!

Let me see... 36.2 kms (was supposed to be 32 kms) over 7.5 hours with 5 hours of rain. There was a stretch of maybe 45 minutes where the rain was freezing, heavy and whipped by a wicked wind. It got so bad that I was worried that my prized Tilley hat held by two straps would fly away and it had to be hidden under a hood. Imagine that I no longer looked sharp!

Oh and did I mention the mud (see pictures) walking through massive puddles and getting many booters. I felt like I was skating on mud and came very close to a number of pratfalls. The scenery oscillated between industrial wasteland and a few nice stretches along the water.

And to cap it off two beautiful good sized blisters ON DAY 2. I managed to walk through France and Spain without blisters...go all the way back to Switzerland for my last blisters. Frustrating as socks were drenched...no point in changing etc etc. Dr. Paulo recommended immediate needle surgery...I have opted for Compeed blisters which worked for me in Switzerland. The next few days could be fun!!!

Ok now I feel better with this off my chest! I have to remember that a day walking is better than a day in the office! Oh wait a minute I am retired! Some of the nicer pictures of the day...

Leaving the hotel - very nice place 35 Euros each!


Pastel de Nada - thanks for your comment recommendation Betsy...delicious!
And now for what today was really like!!! Remember the iPhone camera was safely tucked away during the worst parts.


Thankfully no wild animals although we did encounter a herd of sheep with two sheep dogs😱
Oh well tomorrow is another day and it will be better...expect 24 kilometres...hope those blisters heal overnight😊

4 comments:

  1. I would have been forever grateful to the wind had it taken your "prized Tilley hat".

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  2. I'd just like to point out that none of your other daughters (or wife, or son-in-law) have commented.

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  3. I've also posted like 5 comments. Soooooooooooo...favourite daughter?

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  4. Glad you enjoyed the Nata - I had a flight through Lisbon on Friday and picked up some for us to enjoy in NYC this past weekend - they were great and my brother and sis-in-law are now converts as well. Enjoy the food, take care of those feet!

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