Portugal
Santarém

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    • Day 4

      Day Three

      August 27, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

      Well it looks as though my little adventure is going to have to adapt and become a different adventure that involves the bus and the train 😳
      Getting up this morning I had to accept that there wasn’t a chance of being able to get my trainers on, let alone walk the intended 33km’s..
      My two biggest blisters were so sore I couldn’t put weight on my heels .. I realise that to any Parish walker i must sound like a right wuss !
      Well off to the train station I hobbled and a train it was to Santarem .. I did walk, sort of in my flip flops the 40 odd minutes to my accommodation.. actually quite an achievement 🙄.. on the way I passed ( only because he stopped for water ) a guy who was also doing the journey, only he wasn’t walking it all, he was combining it with the bus and train… long story short, I met up with him again outside the hotel as he was staying at the same place. As it was too early to check in, he asked ( he speaks Portuguese ) if we could leave our bags there and suggested going for something to eat/drink .. only it turned out he didn’t drink and we had alcohol free beer 😂 I also needed something to eat as I hadn’t eaten since lunchtime the day before as my desire to eat was way lower than my desire not to walk anywhere last night.
      Anyway.. he seriously didn’t stop talking for 2 hours!!! I was exhausted and desperate to be in my room.. he suggested having a coffee /food later and it seemed rude to say no, so I agreed ( he was a considerably older retired gentleman I might add ) well we duly met and basically had a hobble, in my case, round the town resulting in no coffee or food. He was very useful in the pharmacy though with his Portugués.. even though it turned out the assistant’s English was pretty good. After getting another assistant to look ( I kept apologising for how they looked 😳) she thought one of my blisters was infected.. possibly the goo that was at the time surrounding it!!!
      She gave me something to put on it and some more plaster’s.. I’m going leave them overnight and once again hope for a miracle!!! I’m imagining it’s probably going to end up being a bus day….
      Off to bed now hoping all will be good tomorrow.. 🙄
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    • Day 7

      Day 3 Azambuja - Valada

      September 11, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

      Day 3 - Azambuja to Valada. 11 September started @ 08:12 & stopped at about 11:45. 13k/8.1m. Walking time 2h32m. 16,642 steps. 581 calories.

      Before I share my day want to remember September 11, 2001. Those that died. Their families & friends. Unfortunately, it is a date many of us will remember - where we were & who we were with. The world changed on that day.

      My day started a bit later, because I had a short walking day. I needed one! And I didn’t go off the wrong direction!

      Before leaving Azambuja had a coffee and pastry. From the photos you will see it was sort of foggy & overcast. Great walking weather. The clouds cleared about an hour in.

      It was a day of walking among the tomato fields. Periodically there were some laying along the road. Yes, I did pick up a good one, rubbed off the dirt and ate it! Just like growing up rub off the dirt & enjoy.

      The hostel did not open until 2 pm, so I had some time to put my feet up & people watch.

      Photo captions give a bit more.

      Enjoy the journey! Bom Caminho.
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    • Day 7

      Additions to Day 3

      September 11, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

      Additions to day 3. After yesterday’s posting I went to find a place to eat and discovered a whole new landscape to the small town of Valada.

      There is a huge dike wall between the Tejo River and the town. The place I ate was right on the river.

      Enjoy more from Day 3 with photos & captions. Bom Caminho
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    • Day 8

      Day 4 Valada to Santarem

      September 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

      Day 4 - Valada to Santarem. 12 September. Started at 07:33. Finished at 12:03. 20.2k/12.6m. Walking time 3h42m. 24,108 steps. 914 calories.

      As I was typing in the calories I realized the figure is based on my body weight. Wonder what it would be if I added 12# for the weight of my pack. Let’s face it carry around a 12# dumbbell for over 12 miles you use more energy.

      It was a very good day for walking. Weather was absolutely perfect. The toes were good. I think my body is beginning to adapt to my 12# pack.

      Got a great sunrise photo over the Tejo River. Many would find today’s path very boring. Not much to see. Landscape pretty much the same all day. But I like days like this - filled with farm fields and smells that take me back to North Dakota. Something about smelling fresh tilled dirt!

      Followed the dike for a long time and then cut through a vineyard. Having the high dike provided some great shade! Also, adding to today’s boring side - only one town. And that was 3k from the start, so too soon to stop. Had a 3+km hill at the end leading into Santarem. I love hills - going up. Saw two pilgrims on the trail. So those staying in the hostel did not catch up to me.

      Played tourist in Santarem. Had a good filling lunch/early supper. Staying in a modern , new hostel. Right now only two of us in a 6 bunk room.

      Okay, I know you all want to hear about my toes! Well did not have a restful sleep. They were not hurting, but my brain just had to find a solution to my toe dilemma. I believe I found it. Since I wear sandals my toes were not hitting the front or top of my shoes. But I grip with my toes and the first small toe joint, instead of rounding up it presses down. Sort of like it’s double jointed but it is not. That joint compression pushes down right below the nail bed. Anyway, how do you prevent that from happening. My solution was to take a small wad of cotton ball and tape it to the bottom of my toe where the joint bends in. Well it worked. Still had to drain the blisters but not much fluid and no swelling, redness or pain.

      Photos had captions. Also added a couple videos. Hope you enjoy the journey. Bom Caminho.
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    • Day 9

      Day 5 Santarem- Azinhaga

      September 13, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

      Day 5 - Santarem to Azinhaga. 13 September. Started @ 7:21 am. Finished at 2:15 pm. 27.3k/17m. Walking time 5h06m. 32,564 steps. 1214 calories.

      Wow there are other pilgrims walking. At the Santiago gate I came across 6 pilgrims. Started walking with a couple and once we got out of town our pace was different, so off I went. Unfortunately did not see them the rest of the day. The other four I saw and sat with to have breakfast & coffee. Left and walked with Denise from Edmonton, Canada for the rest of the way, until I stopped and she was walking to the next town.

      Walked through vineyards and corn fields almost all day. So easy on the legs. Denise and I were gabbing too intently and missed an arrow so had to backtrack about 2 km.

      I’m staying at Casa dos Portas and what a gem. 800 m off the Caminho path, but worth the effort. It had a swimming pool! Newer building and had a garden just very relaxing place to wind down. Had my first communal pilgrim meal. The four of us staying here ate together.

      Already late so making this a bit short.

      Enjoy the photos and the journey. Bom Caminho.
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    • Day 10

      Day 6 Azinhaga-VilaNovadeBarquinha

      September 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

      Day 6 - Azinhaga to Vila Nova da Barquinha. 14 September. Started @ 7:12 am. Finished @ 12:30 pm. 19.4K/12.1m. Walking time 3h35m. 23,012 steps. 870 calories.

      A beautiful morning for a walk! Hated to leave Casa da Portes, but it’s a new day and a new place to go. Left before other 3 pilgrims.

      Walked through Azinhaga, about 800m down the road and for small town had a lot of churches.

      First 9k to Golega it was not the most pleasant walking day due to walking on a busy road with a very narrow dirt shoulder. Had to be very diligent to cars, buses, trucks, semis, big tractors.

      Upon entering Golega, toward the town square, came around the corner to see the church. Another out loud WOW. The inside was surprising - no gold alter but instead had beautiful tiles. Stayed in the square for an unhealthy breakfast of two pastries & double espresso!

      Just as I was leaving Debbie & Andy arrived! We are hoping to meet up in Tomar on Friday. Then as I was crossing the road, exiting the town, ran into Mikola. So the two of us walked together until I turned off in Vila Nova Barquinha.

      Along the way we came across an old palace that was used by the Templar Knights. It was so incredible.

      Photos have captions.

      Thanks for going on the journey. Bom Caminho
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    • Day 21

      Von Coimbra auf die Quinta!

      October 18, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      Cuimbra und Quinta (Mi, 18. Oktober)

      Nach nächtlichem Dauerregen zeigt sich am Vormittag die Sonne wieder!😃

      Wir spazieren durch den Botanischen Garten und staunen über den riesigen Ficus mit seinem gewaltigen Wurzelwerk. Unglaublich!
      Spontan unterwegs zu sein, klappt nicht immer! Für den Besuch der Bibliothek Joanina im königlichen Palast gibts nur noch Zeitfenster gegen Abend! Tja, dann soll's nicht sein. Ich schlendere durchs Uni-Gelände und die mittelalterlichen Gassen, während Heidi sich noch durch den botanischen Garten treiben lässt und sich mit Qi Gong entspannt. Zum Zmittag geniessen wir Guaraná und Pastel. Brasilien lässt grüssen!

      Nach dem Mittag fahren wir eine gute Stunde südwärts nach Casével zu Andreas ehemaliger Arbeitskollegin Silvia und ihrer Partnerin Conny. Die beiden begrüssen uns herzlich. Seit gut einem Jahr leben die Beiden hier und bewirtschaften ihre Quinta von 2,3 ha. Beim Rundgang staunen wir über die 168 Olivenbäume und 1'500 Rebstöcke, die Obstbäume und den Haselwald. Hühner, Katzen und Pablo, der verspielte Hund, gehören ebenfalls zur Quinta. Wir sind beeindruckt, was die beiden Frauen in nur einem Jahr erreicht und sich angelernt haben. Parabéns!
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    • Day 34

      Einmal längs durch Portugal

      October 19, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

      Und immer noch ist die Wettervorhersage dominiert von Regen. Nur an der Algarve soll es etwas besser sein. Gestartet ohne genaues Ziel ging es den ganzen Tag durch Regen.
      Vorbei an den Olivenhainen, den Korkeichen, den Reisfeldern und den Rebflächen. Einige Flüsse schienen über die Ufer getreten zu sein. Und auf den Feldern bildeten sich durchs ganze Land Seen.
      Erst in Villa Nova de Milfontes war es trocken und auch für Freitag, Samstag ist kein Regen und sogar etwas Sonne angekündigt.
      Der ACSI Campingplatz liegt nah an der Stadt. Gute Bedingungen auch bei schlechterem Wetter. Also bleiben wir hier.
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    • Tag 381: Lissabon bis Benavente

      March 24 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

      Nach einem gemütlichen Frühstück in der Wohnung mit Jan und Mira machen wir uns aufbruchbereit.
      Wir verabschieden uns von den beiden, die zu einer Tageswanderung aufbrechen.
      Nach und nach tragen wir unsere Taschen nach unten und beladen wieder einmal unsere Räder. Dann geht es nach unten zur Fähre.
      Wir erreichen noch pünktlich das Schiff um 12:20 Uhr, dürfen es allerdings nicht mit den Rädern betreten, weil es schon zu voll ist. Also müssen wir eine halbe Stunde bis zur neuen Fähre warten. Da Lukas nicht mehr genug Geld auf seinem Ticket hat, müssen wir es noch aufladen. Am Automaten können allererdings nur höhere Beträge gewählt werden als eine Einzelfahrt kostet. Deshalb gehen wir zum Schalter. Dort will uns die Frau allerdings weismachen, dass man auf eine Karte nur 3€ und keine für eine Einzelfahrt benötigten 1,50€ laden kann. Lukas erklärt ihr, dass genau dies vor zwei Tagen auf der anderen Seite problemlos funktioniert hat. Scheinbar sind die Computer allerdings so verschieden, dass es auf dieser Seite der Bucht nicht so einfach geht. Lukas bleibt letztlich nichts anderes übrig als die 3€ zu zahlen.
      Wir pumpen noch die Reifen besser auf und vertreiben uns so die Zeit bis wir auf die Fähre schieben dürfen. Die Räder in die Fahrradständer gestellt schippern wir ans andere Ufer.
      Dort versuchen wir das auf die Tickets geladene Restgeld wieder zurück zu bekommen, was allerdings nicht möglich ist. Da wir ansonsten nichts weiter mit den Tickets und dem Geld anfangen können, lassen wir sie an den Automaten zurück, damit sich hoffentlich jemand anderes darüber freuen kann.
      Dann fahren wir den Fahrradweg an der Küste entlang zurück, werfen nochmal einen letzten Blick auf den "Praça do Comércio" und folgen dann dem weiterhin gut ausgebauten Fahrradweg.
      Beim Lidl gehen wir nochmal einkaufen, da komischerweise die Läden hier auch sonntags offen haben. Es geht weiter zum Decathlon, wo wir noch eine Gaskartusche und Mehrwegwasserflasche besorgen. Mit nun schon recht penetrantem Magenknurren setzen wir uns an die Promenade, essen Käse-Blätterteigstangen mit Hummus und genießen noch die entspannte Atmosphäre.
      Weiter über gute Fahrradwege fahren wir die Küste entlang, folgen einer Weile einem Holzsteg und fühlen uns als würden wir gerade unseren Urlaub anfangen.
      In einem kleinen Ort bekommen wir noch eine Prozession zum Palmsonntag mit, wobei allerdings die ihr folgenden Gläubigen teils mehr an uns beziehungsweise den Fahrrädern interessiert zu sein scheinen als an der Prozession selbst.
      Wir überqueren ein weiteres Mal die Bucht und fahren nun zwischen Feldern hindurch. Direkt sind wir gedanklich wieder in den USA, denn zu beiden Seiten der Straße verläuft ein Zaun.
      Auch ein kleiner Wald, den wir uns für unseren heutigen Zeltplatz ausgesucht haben, ist vollständig eingezäunt und gegenüber befindet sich zu unserer Überraschung der Eingang zu einer Gated Community, wie wir sie nur allzu oft in den Staaten gesehen haben.
      Erst ein Stück weiter finden wir dann ein Fleckchen wo wir unser Zelt aufbauen können. Zum Glück ist es hier deutlich kühler und damit recht angenehm im Zelt.
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    • Day 6–7

      FATIMA

      April 6 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

      As we continued on our journey, we opted to tread the road less traveled, forging our own "way". So far, this has rewarded us with some unforgettable experiences, and our ride from charming Óbidos to the holy city of Fatima was undoubtedly one of the highlights. I can only speak for myself, but while the rugged Atlantic coast is undeniably breathtaking and fun watching surfers dotting the shoreline in every town, my soul finds solace in the quiet simplicity of the bucolic countryside. Cycling immersed us in the natural beauty of each region, tantalizing our senses as we pedaled through the crisp breeze that carried scents of minty eucalyptus forests, tangy citrus trees, earthy olive orchards, and sweet spring flowers. It allows for a snapshot in time of farm animals grazing in the lush verdant valleys, vibrant purple wisteria in full bloom adorning a stone fence, or a worn stray cat lying on the warm cobblestone path without a care in the world. I was grateful to the Portuguese dog owners in just about every other residence we passed for containing their overly protective furry family members, making for a much safer journey. Those we did see wandering were estranged and seemingly on their own Camino. Much to John's chagrin, I picked up some animal treats. I reminded him of one of my life mottos, "I stop for animals," and the Camino is no different 😊
      As we continue on our way, I am filled with serenity and gratitude for the opportunity to experience God's hand in it all.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Distrito de Santarém, Distrito de Santarem, Santarém

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