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One year ago today 9/30

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

 

After many long walking days, today we are only planning to walk just under 19 miles. It was a steady plodding day. Our highlight today, it being Sunday was coming round a bend to be faced a wall of running girls, it was race day in the local village, stepping aside we realized the Camino walked right through the race course. When we entered the village, we stopped for coffee and pastries and to watch the races for a little while.

WoodlandWe had an overcast morning, with lots of mist which burned off as the day got warmer. The Accacia trees are planted in rows very symetrically.

 

 

 

 

 

I loved these doors and gateway outside what seemed to be a church or religious building.

RailwaySometimes the Camino took you on odd routes, like along this railway underneath the brdidge, you can see the trail markers on the right.

 

Roman bridge Here we were walking through fields, but on those cobblestones, the bridge had a figure of Jesus on the cross, you can see the trail marker on the right hand wall. 

As we plod on towards Oliveira de Azemeis and enter the town we turn down a small road. The road is filled with cars, double parked and lots of people waiting outside in the street. Andre is busy with his guidebook, and I realize they are lining up outside a restaurant with a takeout side shop. I am turning to Andre to say we must eat here when he looks up and says with his French accnet, "Nick, there is a very good restaurant here." I laugh and point out that we found it. I don't usually order the best lunch but today I did and was very happy. I oredered grilled squid with prawns and it came with some chorizo sausage as well.

Lunch

Having had a slow lunch, we walk on, there was a Roman mile marker 

Church

 

 

 

 

 

And this wonderful large church, just one of many we have passed on the journey so far. Not the Camino trail marker at the foot of the stairs. Many of the churches and chapels are decorated with tile pictures. We walk slowly, crossing two  medieval bridges over the river we and walk up and down many hills today.

Eventually we reach Sao Joao a Madeira, quite a busy town although it is Sunday so not much traffic. We find a pensione to stay in, breakfast is included but more money than we want to spend but we accept. We sit on the square outside having coffee and drinks with deep fried corn nibbles and boiled fava beans. We end up talking with Paul, a man sitting at the table enxt to us who is interested what we are doing in town. He also wants to practice his English, he is there with his young son who is playing with friends in the square. We talk about the Camino and he says he has heard of it and wants to walk it someday with his son. He runs a business making shoes and handbags. We ask for a recommendation for dinner. He tells us about Bacana, just a short walk he assures us. We give it a try. Of course we start with soup, bread and olives. Andre selects his Bacalau and I go for something which I later find out is a traditional dish of the region. It has everything, eggs on top of ham, pork, beef, bread and swamped in a slightly spicy tomato sauce. It was delicious.

DinnerI finish this off with a layered almond cake and coffee. 

 

Tomorrow we reach Porto, over dinner we discuss possibly taking a taxi part of the way as most likely walking into Porto it will be very industrial. This thought is placed in my head by Andre who now has plenty of time to reach Porto against his deadline of his flight. I look forward to having a day of rest in Porto.

Till tomorrow.

Posted by

 

Nick Vandekar
Nick is a Tredyffrin Easttown Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

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225 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown , PA 19335
Office 484-237-2055
SellingTheMainLine.com
Mobile: (610) 203-4543 [call or text me]
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Tredyffrin Easttown or along the Main Line, 
I can help you, contact me.

Comments (8)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Nick - lots of details and good photos illustrate your experiences on this short walk(yikes nineteen miles).  

Sep 30, 2019 01:34 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Michael Jacobs thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, I know sounds crazy to describe it as short.

Sep 30, 2019 02:16 PM
Krystin Mitchell, CPA CFE
KLSM CPA Firm, PLLC - Houston, TX
Strategic Accounting & Tax Solutions

Nick,

your posts are always to detailed and photos are so vivid. I always enjoy reading about your expierences.

Sep 30, 2019 05:21 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Nick... I think I've added a pound just reading about that layered almond cake... one of my favorite things to eat! 

Sep 30, 2019 10:14 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning John.

I don't know what you had for dinner, but you described it in such a way, I would like to give it a try

Oct 01, 2019 12:38 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Krystin Mitchell, CPA CFE I have been told by many people in my life to be more brief. But, there are so many things we all miss being in a hurry. To be honest, there was so much each day you saw, and I know I missed recording much of it.

Nina Hollander it was delicious.

Almond layered cake

James Dray it was called Francesinha a local delicacy, everyone has their own version. This is how it was described on the menu, I of course has the Special.

Francesinha

 

Oct 01, 2019 04:45 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Such a wonderful journey you had and I always love seeing the pictures of the amazing churches you were able to visit.

Oct 01, 2019 07:33 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Brian England I regret not going into more of them, we were always pushed for time walking with Andre, so we tended to just walk on by. But they all look very impressive.

Oct 01, 2019 07:42 AM