15 km 27 May
Again Heatwave?
We didn’t start early because our forecast said it wouldn’t be that warm again. The forecast of our neighbors did say 37 degrees, so they are gone already. We have a nice breakfast first and then we will see. We do bring enough water this time. After yesterday I don’t believe it will be harder anymore.
When Willeke has a look on her forecast again, it changed and it appears to be a hot day again, just like yesterday.
Average Route with Different Views
We were warned that it is a walk on sand, the whole path. Today the path is closer to the ocean and we have an open view the whole time. It certainly feels cooler than yesterday in the forest.
Because it is all sand, I would call it an average walk. In the sand I walk on my toes, quite quick, so the sand doesn’t take my whole foot down. I feel that I am still fit. Apart from my ankle which I taped in, I feel good and not tired.
We see a beach and we swim before we go further.
To enter the village we need to cross the water, and I read that we could by boat or walk via the bridge which is about 4 km more. Since it is a short day of 15 km we just walk. The water started as a small crossing but it becomes a real river, and we see people on the water surfing. It looks strange because there are no waves and there is no wind. It is something new; an electric surfboard.
When we enter the village we rest and eat in a nice bakery. A quiche and small spinach roll for me and a sweet pie for Willeke with fresh orange juice. Not interesting you would think but actually this is one of the best things during a caminho (for me): finding a good bakery after the walk with fresh juices and great snacks. It is not every day you find something at the end of walk. And in some caminhos I didn’t find anything the whole day.
Pilgrims gratitude is a good thing-feeling, being satisfied with small things, a bed, a juice, snacks, or just a “bom caminho” or when you climb or decent and someone says: “you are doing great, take your time”.
Sleeping @ Vitinho
We head to a nice small albergue of Ana and Vittor, called Vitinho. We receive a code so we could enter early. We put our stuff there and we head to town. A nice town with a lot of shops, supermarkets and cafes. We see a lot of shops with bathing suits, and in one shop there were some mix and match bikini’s from last year for 1,50 euro per thing. Finally I can swim for two times with a bikini!
The town is very stretched out, and it is quite a walk to the river. But it is hot and we like to dive in again. We see the boat place and we jump in the water and rest. We have a pilgrims boat view, we enjoy.
Dinner @ Patio Alentejano
When we arrive back at our pension, Vittor is there in person to welcome us. There is no shared space but in the hall there is a water boiler, tea, coffee, and cutlery. Very handy because Willeke needs a spoon for her yoghurt in the morning. And we are going to boil eggs for our breakfast or lunch tomorrow on the way. Actually good to know before we buy the eggs.
We have two rooms, one with double bed and the other with a single one. A family can stay here too!
There is no garden so we cannot dry our clothes outside. We ask Vittor. Since the A.L. next to this one is empty, we get the key and we can dry in the garden. We take our book and drinks and we go to this place to rest.
We have dinner at a very crowded restaurant Patio Alentejano. According to VIttor and another person the best in town. They had one table left inside. While eating the Alentejano food we enjoy the setting of tourists and pilgrims. It is strange to walk the whole day without seeing a lot of people, but everywhere you can rest or eat, the cafe and restaurant are full.
