El Camino

No, not the funky Chevrolet half car, half pick-up truck from the '60s and '70s. The Camino de Santiago, the Way of St-James, the pilgrimage routes that end at the cathedral of Santiago de CampostelaLæs mere
Day 1: Lisbon to Santa Iria de Azoia

Our first day on the Camino. 22 kms down and a lot of kilometres to go. Last night when we were looking at accommodations for our first day, everything seemed to be booked or was filling up fast. WeLæs mere
Day 2: Vala do Carregado

Day 2 on the Camino. Our intent was to walk 25 kms to Vala do Carregado and, from there, take the train to Azambuja where we had confirmed reservations for the night. We would then take the train backLæs mere
Day 3: Valada

We are now 71.8 kms into our Camino. The weather continues hot with a high of 30 degrees. It's forecast to get even hotter in the coming days. Yikes!
Today, the Camino took us initially along aLæs mere
Day 4: Valada to Santarem

We had a relatively short walk today, 19.8 kms mainly through flat farm lands that have recently been sown. We also saw quite a few vineyards, especially as we neared Santarem. The 16-kilometreLæs mere
Day 5: Santarem to Golega

We started our walk to Golega shortly after 6:30 am this morning, knowing we had about 31 kms to go and a weather forecast of 31 degrees. Today's walk was also mainly through farmlands but with only 2Læs mere
Day 6: Golega to Tomar

The walk from Golega to Tomar was another long 30+ kilometre trek in 30+ sunny weather with nary a cloud in the sky.
We started gently to ensure any potential sore spots didn't develop into somethingLæs mere
Day 7: Day of Rest

Day 7 on the Camino and we're all enjoying a much needed day of rest. I slept well and had a lazy morning before strolling around town, coloured by a visit to the castle.
Day 8: Tomar to Cortiça

Today's walk was my favourite up till now. Almost the entire distance was spent on trails and walking paths or quiet country roads with very little traffic. We did have to contend with a fair amountLæs mere
Day 9: Cortiça to Ansião

We had a relatively short walking day today, a mere 19 kms. The morning was quite cool and overcast which was great for walking. We passed through some very pretty villages with cobblestoned streetsLæs mere
Day 10: Ansião to Rabaçal

Friday the 13th - what a lucky day.
We one again had the pleasure of Wil's company for the 19-km walk from Ansiao to Rabacal. Most of the walk was on country roads, gravel paths and tractor lanes,Læs mere
At Last!!!

Well, after two sessions of self-isolation and twelve days late, I finally boarded a plane this morning bound for Lisbon.
I had a 9:00 AM appointment to get my fit-for-travel certificate and hadLæs mere
Sete restaurant, Coimbra

We had arrived in Coimbra after a long, hot day of walking, and although we had taken several refreshment breaks along the way, we really hadn't eaten a proper meal. Roch had also had a long journeyLæs mere
Day 11: Rabaçal to Coimbra

I started out shortly after 6:00 am from Rabaçal knowing I would have to make up the 3.9 kms that Anita & Ernie had walked yesterday when they continued onwards to Zambujal. I thought I would beLæs mere
Francesinha festival, Coimbra

When we were onboard the heritage train, Roch noticed an outdoor festival taking place shortly after we passed the Botanical Gardens. Curious to know what it was about, we retraced the train route andLæs mere
Day 12/1 Coimbra

After two flights, a metro ride, a two hour train ride and a 2.1 km uphill hike, I finally caught up with Brenda, Anita and Ernie at 6:00PM in a bar next to our Coimbra accommodations. The only thingLæs mere
Day 13/2 Coimbra to Mealhada

For my first true day on the Camino, we traveled 23.3 kilometres from Coimbra to Mealhada while climbing 219 metres. According to my companions, this was a relatively boring leg as it was mostly overLæs mere
Day 14/3 Mealhada to Agueda

Today we walked 25.6 kilometers with 90% of our journey over paved roads. It wasn't the most scenic part of the Camino, but the weather was perfect for a long hike; mostly overcast with a slightLæs mere
Day 15/4 Agueda to Albergaria a Nova

We started our day at 7:00 in a light mist and 18°C. Not wet enough for rain gear, but humid enough to cover my glasses with water. Our plan was to do a short 16 km walk to Albergaria-a-Velha andLæs mere
Day 16/5 Albergaria-a-Nova to Sao Joao

First thing this morning we took a ride share back to Albergaria-a-Nova, where we left the Camino yesterday afternoon.
From there it was a quick 5km walk to Pinheiro de Bemposta, where we stopped forLæs mere
Day 17/6 Oliveira de Madeira to Grijo

When we checked into our hotel yesterday afternoon, we were pleased to learn that it was four star rated AND breakfast was included in the room rate.
As a result, The Core Four took full advantage ofLæs mere
Day 18/7 Grijo to Porto

We took a very fast Uber ride from our Porto accommodations back to where we left the Caminho in Grijo yesterday afternoon, Mostreiro do Sao Salvador de Grijo.
Our 16.25km walk was completed underLæs mere
Day 19/8 Porto to Vila do Conde

Today we set off onto the classic Caminho coastal trail as we make our way north into Spain. Yesterday's weather forecast had called for overnight thunderstorms and light rain all Sunday morning.Læs mere
Day 20/9 Vila do Conde to Esposende

With another big walk ahead of us, we hit the road at 7:00 this morning under overcast skies and 17 degrees with a forecast of rain from 8:00 to 11:00.
The first few kilometers of the day ran throughLæs mere
Day 21/10 Esposende to Viana do Castelo

Our walk today started under cloudy skies with a slight wind and a cool 12 degrees. A fairly long 27 km journey was on the agenda along the Caminho's coastal route. Despite the coastal monicker, mostLæs mere
Get better soon Roch! [Betty]
Yes, we wish you a speedy recovery and that you continue to feel well and energized by the time Sunday arrives. Take care and look forward to your next update. xoxoF&I [Francie]