Well readers, you will not be surprised to read that commonsense prevailed after our exhausting day yesterday and we caught a cab for the first part of the 33 km walk. A joint decision I can say but a good one as we were able to arrive mid afternoon into a very pleasant town situated by the river. The added bonus was that our hotel when we found it was a spa hotel offering therapeutic massages. I quickly booked one for later that afternoon. It was a life saver as she was skilled and gave me good advice on managing my knee pain-cold showers from now on! The pain was enough to make me 'pull my ears' but it did the trick and made a difference for several days.Feet are fine-no blisters -boots and thurlo socks to thank for that.
Our walk started well,sun shining and a lovely forested pathway led us down into a river valley sheltered by vineyards and some apple orchards,the inevitable stone walls and narrow roads to negotiate. Fortunately it was a Sunday so the traffic was less as families were having a day of rest and relaxation. Church bells tolled on the hour and the locals emerged from their villages and congregated around the church awaiting the service.
We passed through lots of little villages on this leg- they all run into each other and have very neat, tidy frontages with lovely colourful displays of lillies, roses, bird of paradise and orchids on balconies.We ate by a little roadside shrine and made our way across country lanes and little pathways leading through the back of the towns until we came close to the river Ponte.The end is in sight.
The villages all had shrines and village crosses which were beautifully tended by local people.Different saints were celebrated by different villages. We passed a St Miguel church along the way and after about five hours we walked along a lovely river walk through magnificent trees into the town.This town has an iconic bridge across the river so many photos later...
We enjoyed exploring the old town centre and visiting the stalls all set up for a celebration-wine I think although there was mention of a garden display too.The day we left there was the most enormous market-tents for miles along the river.People come from all over Portugal for this market-alas we were on a mission so had to leave the market and get on our way.
We did go over the bridge and explored the jardinieres(gardens) which were lovely-peaceful too and full of topiary and boxed hedges.
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