Following the railway today, long flat runs some very rural others along busy roads with traffic speeding past both ways. Stopped for lunch at Vila Nova de Rainha and bumped into Shelly and Dan at the same cafe. Continued with them then for the last 7km to Azambuja.

Made very welcome at the Albergue. The Town is being boarded all along the Main Street in preparation for the running of the bull this coming weekend. We shall be long gone by then but I bet the place will be heaving with people so I’m glad we are here a few days before. Carlos who is one of the volunteers at the Albergue and was one of its founders here some 15 years ago, directed us to his church so after a shower, a cup of tea and washing our clothes we went for a visit. Very nice with Medieval tiles and gold leaf everywhere.

After a time of peace and quiet we found a restaurant that did a special Camino menu for our  evening meal.

Stork nesting in Azambuja.

 

 

 

A much gentler day walking along the mud flats beside the river Tagus. Saw a family of Avacet in the reeds long red legs and two tiny chicks.

This is not an Avecet, despite the red legs. But shows the long stretches of boardwalk over the mudflats.

Not many cafes open in Portugal on a Sunday but sustenance was to be had at supermarkets on route. Arrived at Vilafranca with time to buy the ingredients for Spaghetti Bologna’s which Jan cooked in the kitchen of the Guest House Vilatejo. There are no Albergue at Vilafranca so unfortunately we had to go a bit upmarket, double room, ensuite. Bliss.

Camino passports stamped at Lisbon Cathedral and we are off. Met up with a couple of Americans, Shelly and Dan, after a few hundred yards and we were together then for the morning. Hunting for the yellow and blue signs was quite taxing but eventually got as far as the marina at Oriente for lunch. The afternoon took us on a river walk that seemed unending in the heat but rewarded by the colourful display of wild flowers along the path. Arrived just about done in at the Albergue at Alpriate around 7:30. After collapsing in a heap and then a shower we were able to find the local cafe for a meal. Very basic accommodation at the Albergue , which for €8 is to be expected. One dorm with 12 beds. 1 shower. Good nights sleep though.

The door to the Albergue

Trees in crochet.

Two memorable days in Lisbon. On the first day we visited the Castle de Soa Jorge, the Cathedral the river front at the Praça do Comércio various cafes and the Tourist Police. All very enjoyable with the exception of the last visit which was to report the theft of my wallet by pickpockets near the castle. Big cities, don’t you just love them.

View over the river Tejo from the top of Castle de Soa Jorge

Praça do Comércio with the river behind.

Looking over the river Tejo with balanced stones and half in the picture our impromptu guide who got us on the right bus to the castle.

On the second day we took the bus to the Monastery of St. Jeronimos at Belém. The site was packed as there was a festival, all entry ticket prices had been removed and there were craft and food stalls by the score. We looked around the church and Monastery, some of the museums on the same site and went up to the top of the huge monument commemorating Henry the navigator.

The main church and the Sacristy

the Monastery Cloister.

The monument to Henry the navigator.

Tomorrow we start in earnest.

This really fits with day two and shows the end of the walk from Ashton Under Lyme at Portland Basin. Rev Alison Cox meets us to guide us to St. Mark’s Vicarage for the night. Also shows Chris Barker our guide and good companion for the day Photo taken by Janice.

St Marks Church at the start of day 3. Lovely walk down the Peak Forest canal and alongside the river Goyt to Sockport. Slightly longer than the expected 8 miles ( nearer 12.5). Tried two pubs on route. The Duke of York and Strawberry Fields. Welcomed by Revd David Brewster our host for the night. Bath, meal and glass of wine later and reset once again.

Phone call from Alison to say Julia had found our phone charger I had left behind. Aghhh, saved by Alison who drove over with it. Lesson learned I hope. Don’t want to do that in Portugal.

Very trusting heron, we have seen about 5 herons on the way, a pair swooping together overhead and one snatching a fish from the canal. Every half mile there were ducks with ducklings 4 to 13 in each family.

Sunrise through the East Window Slaithwaite Church.

Great walk today from Slaithwaite to Aston under Lyme along the Huddersfield narrow canal. Joined today  by Janice and Chris Barker. Who kept us going on the way. Distance of about 19 miles through some lovely countryside. Deviated from the towpath at Standedge tunnel taking to the moors for a few miles.

finished the day at Portland Basin and met there by Revd Alison Cox. Very grateful to her and Julia for hospitality overnight.

 

We were given a wonderful send off from St. Mary’s with a Blessing on the whole venture. I was presented with a scallop shell to carry on the journey and to leave at Santiago as so many do.

11:45 and we were off. Calder Green Way to Huddersfield Broad Canal into Huddersfield. A bite to eat in a cafe and then on to the narrow canal all the way to Slaithwaite about 13 miles in all. Sunny and warm along the canal bank with the sights and smells of a Yorkshire May, what’s not to like? Of course by mile 11, 12 and 13 We could really tell it was the first day as the pace slowed to a crawl. We were delighted to hear Slaithwaite church bell chiming 6 and see the tower that marked the end of the walk.

A short collapse and clean up then out to sample the delights of Indian cuisine before turning in. Our thanks to Rev Robin Townsend for Hospitality on our first night away.

I was there, honest, and my rucksack was even bigger and heavier. Walking the reservoirs of Manchester in 23 degree heat with full load to find where the pinches and rubs are. Found some.

 

The mountain of essentials needs reducing to a more manageable hill and just a week to go.