10km. An easy day with just a few hours’ walking, interrupted by a coffee break, a stop for lunch and a visit to a Lidl supermarket – they are similar to the Aldi business model. Yesterday’s stage plus today’s stage were actually one long 30km stage in our guidebook, but we decided to split it into 2 days. Thank goodness – I had tendonitis in one foot yesterday, and 22km was about as much as I could manage. And at the 6km point today, there was this absolute doozy of a hill which would have reduced me to tears towards the end of an already long day’s walk. Plus, the Hotel Dighton that we stayed at last night was lovely and it would have been a shame to miss its luxury and comfort.
Not a lot to say about only walking 10kms, other than that it was a pleasant stroll – all on paved roads, we crossed over the railway line numerous times, wandered through a few villages and we’re staying at Sao Joao da Madeira (St John of the forest), an industrial town of around 20,000. The town looks very modern, but is of Roman origin, and is famous for its hat and shoe manufacturing. We’re staying at the AS Hotel Sao Joao, which is on the main town square, and is excellent value at 25 euros including breakfast
Climbing up the very steep hill
Roadside seats for pilgrims (also called a power pole)
Shopping with rucksacks
Shopping at Lidl. We have these as well as Aldi . Good ice creams fom Aldi . Not our favourite supermaket but it’s good to have a browse. (German of course) I feel for you walking up hills with your rucksacks, but then you are young and fit . Excitement in the UK as the Olmpic flame has just arrived. Have a good weekend. Margaret
We don’t have Aldi or Lidl in Adelaide, Margaret. There are Aldi supermarkets in the eastern states, though. The Olympics Games are not far away now. I remember taking Tom to see the torch when it was in Adelaide. I worked as a volunteer nurse at the soccer games that were played in Adelaide during the 2000 Olympics. I still have the uniform, and the blue raincoat I wear on this camino was part of that uniform.
Wow amazing to see that piece of Roman road.
Just wide enough for the carts, like in Pompeii.
Good pictures.
Hi Judy , had a phone call from a friend yesterday that had just arrive home from Potugal. It had been very hot there but rain had been forcast which looks like you are having now. She never saw any custard tarts, perhaps this is because she was in the tourist area only.
It appears that people who have been chosen to carry the Olympic flame are now selling their olympic outfits and flame carriers on Ebay So Perhaps your blue raincoat could be worth something. Margaret
Whereabouts in Portugal did your friend visit, Margaret? The custard tarts were more common in the south, but we still see them in cake shops now, as we head further and further north. I don’t think I could part with my raincoat, and it’s probably the only part of the uniform that anyone would want. It’s a fantastic coat. When we were at Yellowstone National Park last year, someone recognised it …. 11 years after the 2000 Olympics!