Monday, 10 th June
National Express from Bham to Luton Airport, 7.30 a m – on time.
Fellow Caminhoists boarded at the NEC.
I was the only one frisked at Security.
We were stopped by a passenger satisfaction surveyor, who questioned Colin.
You would not be surprised to know that it ended up with Mac interviewing the surveyor!
Pleasant and uneventful flight. Though temperatures in Lisbon only17 degrees.
Bus & train to Sintra – further out than you might think ; warmer now.
Tiny Hostal opposite Railway Station, where we stayed.€ 65,a little over the top considering
it did not include breakfast and no Air- Con; well we are ” Ensuite pilgrims!”
Walking around, I think there are probably a few more options offering better value.
Lovely restaurant for dinner.€ 13 Euros, two courses, cheese, coffee and port,inc.Tip!
The cheese came from the Azores!
Tomorrow we have to decide whether to,take a little taxi ride – 5 km to get us out in to the countryside, coastal direction.
Tuesday 11 th June
Began walk , after taxi ride to the coast.
Walk began @ 09.15, finished at 5.30pm
A mixture of cliff top paths, agricultural bye ways, GR routes, guesswork,GPS,
local roads, bamboo groves, scrambling and near the end, fording a river on a beach.
Eventually reaching Residencial Fortunat,in Ericeria.
Dinner in Fish restaurant – modest value
Hardest, first day’s walk I have ever attempted – you need map- reading skills, guesswork,
fortitude and occasional reliance on really friendly , locals. 25 km – felt like more!
Some photos from today:-
agricultural paths
Wednesday 12 th June
Excellent breakfast.Tea, fruit juice,sticky bun,home found honey,spreads,delicious brown bread.
Set off through the town along pedestrianised street, recently developed esplanade, up and out, passing camp site, along the main road which was to be our choice of route, for the first half of
the day’s walk. Not too busy,very few heavy goods vehicles.good views and sunshine, moderated by a breeze off the ocean.
Long hike till coffee break – 7 1/2 miles.very welcome when we arrived, near Barril.Such, friendly and unaffected people.Always willing to assist and to laugh.
Following a GPS that one of the group, Colin I I ( we have 2 Colin’s!) was using ,we saved 2 KM and walked on back roads for the rest of our route to Santa Cruz. Great views
<img src=”https://ensuitepilgrim.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130612-190657.jpg” alt=”20130612-190657.jpg” class=”alignnone size-full”
Stayed in Santa Cruz * 3 star hotel – good meal overlooking the beach and sunset.
Shorter day planned for tomorrow – 13 miles, to enable visit to Obidos.
Photos of today:-
<img src=”https://ensuitepilgrim.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130612-223939.jpg” alt=”20130
Thursday 13 th June
Set off under blue skies, strong breeze,walked alongside a deserted beach.
There was a mixture of road and farm tracks; way marking not brilliant !
Neither were the number of hills, In what amounted to a tough walk.
For a time,after lunch in a little cafe, the skies darkened and we were faced with the necessity
of a beach walk to avoid a steep climb. This was the stretch we trudged across.
We still faced another steep ascent and eventually walked along a country road, on a ridge.
Small cottages and villas, intermingled with smallholdings.The sea to our left; open countryside to our right.
We reached Praia da Areia Branca.Booked in at the ” Dom Lourenco” Hotel.
Given our own room, each! Mac will miss his bedtime stories!
Photo across from the Bar-Patio, enjoying a glass of Vinho Verde.
Tomorrow ,we make for Peniche, leaving Lisbon Province in the process, and entering Leiria.
One of the many differences between the Portuguese and the Spanish people is that the
latter can converse convivially without sounding like everyone is on a soapbox!
I am
surrounded here on this patio and yet it is a pleasant buzz.
Looking out across the river valley – warm evening,warm breeze free sunshine – Solo bliss!
Dinner In hotel restaurant – popular with locals – good sign.Excellent, grilled Dorado.
Early night ; a mile on soft sand, into a headwind , did not suit my back! Else wise,all good.
Friday 14 th June
After breakfast, we began our walk to Peniche.
This was a pleasant march – coupe of stiff hills – then undulating, with many views of the sea.
As in the last few days, we found ourselves following a GR route.
Wish we had thought of obtaining the maps, but not aware they exist (ed).
( HAVING PROBLEMS AT THE MOMENT! PHOTOS WILL NOT LOAD!))
Will continue with Narrative, for now.
Left Peniche,wished could have spent more time there, by local bus to Obidos,
which is a major tourist site .An old,fortified town.Check it out on Wikpedia.
Hotel in the of town.Very enjoyable.Took many photos.
Plenty of “tat” shops,but not too detrimental.
View from Hotel room
Hopefully, photo scenario sorted !
Still in Obidos
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