Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja

Well today started as a very solitary walk just me and the way for nearly 3 hours. I then met 2 exceptionally loud pilgrims who walked up behind me and asked if I wanted to walk with them but I declined as I’d purposefully slowed down to let them past. I continued on my own until I reached a small village. I was going to visit the church but as I looked up the road the noisy ones were there and there was a 3rd pilgrim racing towards me waving like I was his long lost relative. It turns out the noisy ones caught him too and he was now ready to do a runner so Josef from Seattle and I walked the last 1-2 hours together. He was great company and we parted ways just outside Azambuja. This place is where they have a bull run. There’s a bull ring, 5 churches, 2 supermarket a Brazilian shop and endless derelict houses and businesses. Portugal has a housing crisis if they did these little villages up they’d pretty much solve it. You will see my fascination today was the huge wooden stakes creating fences and gates to protect houses and businesses from the bull run. Some are on wheels, so clever. I also managed to snap the holding pen. I have to say I’m rather glad I won’t be here at the end of the month when they hold the event. It looks mental!!!

Loads of pics so 2 more postsRead more