A storm is brewing....

Later start this morning after a peaceful night...and not one snorer in our dorm (yes, I did clarify with roomies that I did not snore).

The walk today was to be to Marinhas, but the plan changed as the tail end of Hurricane Gabrielle is forecast to hit today. The second reason was that it was inland, and I wanted to be on the coast. So, the destination changed to Esposende.

I started on my own, which felt good. Some thinking time and chance to enjoy the peaceful quiet of the morning. Initially, the trail was along the coast and the chance to enjoy the fresh salty air.

Then I was joined by Ali, who I met yesterday. She lived in Scotland but was originally from Bristol. She started walking 18 days ago in Lisbon and is a retired policewoman.

We figured coffee/breakfast was about 5 miles in. Needless to say, we missed a turning and, as a result, missed breakfast!

The walk was a mix of beach, board walks, and some road and pavement walking. The difficulty is that Portuguese roads and foot paths are largely square cobbles that can be uneven and relentless on the feet.

Along a stretch of forest there was a decorated tree and a stand offering pilgrim necklaces for a donation, along with a stamp for our pilgrims passports which reads On the Way we are never alone.

We were joined by Andrea from Richmond, Virginia. She and I walked together for a while while Ali walked ahead. Andrea is a very politically minded person with some rather interesting and strong views that she enjoyed sharing.

Breakfast was half an hour before arriving at our destination for the night. The albergue here is lovely. We have sheets and a duvet, and even a towel.....OK for those who don't know, this is not the norm and the reason we all carry travel towels and a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner. Each bed, though bunks, has a curtains that can pull across for privacy. There is a pool. The showers have hot water! Like lovely and hot, and the kitchen is great. Happy pilgrims tonight.

I had a walk to the beach to enjoy the wind and the rain. There is nothing quite like the beach on a stormy day to make you feel truly alive. The cool wind strong enough you can't catch your breath. It was incredible to watch the storm coming in. It's pretty wild out there tonight. But, someone is watching over me, and the reason is due to subside by 5am .

The dilemma in going to the beach in the rain was trying to keep tomorrow's footwear dry....so yes I succumbed to socks and sandals... and if you're going to look a sight why not go the full way? Photo attached...

Dinner tonight was tuna, a hard boiled egg (because if not I'll be carrying them forever-having got half dozen yesterday to cook an omelette I boiled the others up. Little did I know you can buy them singularly here! How great is that?) a salad, some humous and crackers followed by fresh fruit. Oh and I even have a yoghurt for breakfast, some fruit courtesy of a farmers market, and some bread for the road tomorrow

This evening has been such fun. I'm in a dorm of ten. There is Andy from Richmond, Virginia ( I only mention that as it's kind of random that it's the same town as Andrea) There is myself and Ali ( who I think is in her 60s) a Mexican guy who has kept to himself, and then there is a 74 yr old American man whose name I forget and 5 young German and Dutch girls. We have had so many laughs sat around in the dorm. Proper can't breathe for laughing laughs.

The young girls are great fun. Two are med students. None of them knew each other before this evening. It looks like we are all pretty much staying in the same place tomorrow evening

Miles walked today 16.48
Steps 34244
Blister count 0
Buggered up knee- one! It's taped and bandaged, and it's hiking poles tomorrow despite the terrain.Read more