Call Me Richard

I lost my sunglasses. And only 3 days into my walk. I will need to get new ones. If you know my husband, you know why today's post is titled this way.
Today's journey took us from Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja, about 14 miles. It was the worst walking day yet. It was very hot, 81 degrees, and no shade again. We were in the same industrial zone as yesterday, but yesterday the river was to our right and there were boardwalks so there was some prettiness. Today's walk was more similar to walking the New Jersey Turnpike through Newark. Well the highway was only one lane going in each direction, but there was no shoulder to move away from all the huge trucks barreling right beside you at 50-60 miles an hour. And the airplanes overhead were not commercial jets, but were small planes spraying who knows what. But the density of industry was pretty similar. There was not a single store or restaurant for the first 5 or 6 miles where we could get a water or snacks or go to the bathroom. We did finally find one small restaurant next to the train station where we stopped for lunch. The waitress asked if we ate chicken, so with no more conversation, we were brought a couple of fried chicken breast cutlets and French fries, no other option was given.
Anyway, add to all this, hitting the body ache wall, me with my sciatica kicking up and Jayme having painfull hip and leg, we called Uber. Gotta love modern convenience! Of the 14 mile distance, we finished about 8.
The good part of getting to the stay early is we got to do our laundry. I devised a system. I plug the bottom of the shower with all my clothes under my feet. I let all the soapy water from washing my hair and body fill into the bottom. I walk all over my clothes like I am stomping grapes. Then I drain the water. Do a little direct soap application on pits and crotch of items. Then I rinse, wring, wring again inside a towel, and hang to dry. (note the hiking pole set up for small items) Voila! Clean clothes !
Hopefully tomorrow will go better, but I'm not discouraged or unhappy yet.Read more