Okay, so I’m already 16 stages into my Camino-Portugues and once again I’ve been pretty slack with blog updates thus far. In fact, I haven’t even posted my usual daily “Stage” videos on the “Walking With Strangers” YouTube Channel. But, here we are, and here I am at about the halfway point having just hiked from Lisbon to Porto, Portugal.
This leg of the journey is the less travelled version of the Portuguese Camino with many opting for the shorter, “prettier” 250km trek from Porto to Santiago de Compostela instead. Others like to start their journey in Tomar and skip the Lisbon I don’t like to do things by halves and I had the time
I’ve had my ups-and-downs both physically and geographically as this country has it’s fair share of hills, and I wasn’t able to avoid the dreaded blisters this time around.
Although I hiked 170km in my new boots before leaving Australia, the 39km first day, coupled with the high proportion of road walking, the unforgiving heat, and the lack of any shade from the midday sun, all culminated in blisters. This then slows you down and, as your body tries to compensate, creates new “feet” problems such as the inflamed tendon in my left ankle I carried for about 10 days.
That all said, I simply listened to my body, reduced my daily distances and/or pace, adjusted my destinations on the fly, until I mended and once again found my groove.
With three nights in Porto, I’ve had the chance to plan my final route (as best you can on a Camino) and all the stats thus far and those going forward can now be found on the Walking Stages: Camino-Portugues page.
Physical injuries aside, I’ve met many awesome fellow Pilgrims along the way from many countries including Australia (quite a few), Bonaire, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, and the United States of America (to name a few). Not too mention, I’ve said a bazillion “Bom Dia’s” and “Bom Targe’s” to the Portugues locals I’ve passed along the way. I’ve ate more than my fair share of Pastal de Nata’s (Portuguese Custard Tarts) and can now of course order those and my Cafe Longo Americano and Coca Cola Normale with ease (these items get me through the day).
Rest assured, I have photos, and I have video, and when I get the time and/or energy to post them up here, I will.
For now, I’m going to enjoy my rest, enjoy Porto, and get ready for the final push through to Santiago de Compostela via the Coastal Route.
Bom Cominho!
Wonderful you are going walking again.
Love your update Michael. Hopefully the physical issues have subsided now and you can really enjoy the rest of the ‘Way’ to Santiago de Compostela. Rest up in beautiful Porto and we’re thinking of you and sending our love and hugs. Mum & Kent xoxo