September 20 ,2025
Day 6 Tomaar to Alvaiazere 33kmThere were a few hairy moments. I basically couldn't find cafes as I mentioned earlier. Finally got one in about the 18 kilometer mark. Had to deviate off the course and walk back up the hill. Continued Just before that, I took one of the Camino courses (there were two alternatives) . I went through a forested area that looked like it wasn't well walked. That was a bit uh hairy, but got through. It was obviously getting warmer. But about 9ks from the end, met up with Chiara, whom I had walked with between Goleja and Tomar. We thought that there would be about 6ks out from our destination, but there wasn't any. I just continued walking and she had a rest. I managed to get my accommodation, had a good lunch of soup and apparently looked like a set menu so I got a fish which was good. First big meal. Got some shopping done and didn't have dinner. Went to bed about 9. Got up at about 3am. Tried to sleep a little bit more but got out of the door about 5:40. It's pitch black. and quiet. But hopefully I can get 10ks done before it gets warmer. Have a coffee break and then get another 10ks done and then the final 10 to 12ks into a place called Rabacal which I'm hoping that I will have a bed in a single room if not a bunk bed and then after that it's on to Coinbra which is one of the bigger towns on the route and there's lots of accommodation so that will be good and then after that it's just another three nights to Porto so making reasonable progress. No illnesses or injuries . I am feeling tired at the end of the walk and just wanting to relax or try to do some meditation today just to try and quieten the mind a little bit. But otherwise it's been great last two or three days. Haven't really seen too many pilgrims and haven't had too many conversations. So, the only communications obviously have been the social media platforms, family and friends. Other than that, it's been really peaceful and uneventful, which is absolutely great. People have been friendly by and large. Language has always been a difficulty. I wish I knew a little bit more Portuguese, but otherwise it's been good.
Day 7 Walk
Day 7 September 21 2025
Today is day eight but just a summary of day seven. I walked to Rabacal turned out to be about 33 kilometers. The morning started really well as I've described previously. Ended up having a cafe break about 11ks into the walk. next to a church. Sat in the church for 5 minutes contemplating and meditate for 5 minutes wonderful peaceful and actually the whole walk was quite a nice walk on day seven Sunday as it didn't get hot and there were cafes along the way so I had enough fluids in me and food and generally most of the individuals that I had met earlier during the Camino were along in this section. We ended up Uh we ended up at the Abergue in Rabacal. I got there about just past 2. It was super busy so it took a while. Didn't manage to get lunch. which was soup and chips, vegetable soup was really good. Then managed to get my washing done. Managed to have a little bit of a rest and shower. There were no individual rooms, so I had a bunk bed which was going to be interesting. Basically then in the evening the group gathered, had a long chat with Chiara She's from Italy. She's into Tao, but not Taoism. Not quite sure what that is, but it's more like a philosophy. And we had a great discussion on Buddhism. Then there is Edward. He's from Kazakhstan, but lives in Germany. Some sort of electrical engineer on ships or he works for a company that builds these power generators on ships and he was also into the spirituality and talked about Kailash which was a sacred mountain in Tibet. So quite an interesting eclectic discussion that evening. Then there was Emmanuel from Italy young man He's going out to Australia on a working visa next year. He has obviously walked the Camino Frances and is now walking the Portuguese. he seemed pretty laidback and relaxed. Again, interesting discussions around religion. Then there is Barry. He's from Holland, civil servant in the Hague and he had some mental health issues and uses meditation to help him and was just walking for that purpose. So it was a really nice sociable group. There were the two Aussies that I met in Golega and they were still behind but may see them down the track. Other than that, it's been a Really pleasant 8th day starting out from Rabbakal heading to Coimbra. I booked the hotel which is good costs about 55 Euros but it's peaceful and quiet and hopefully I'll have a good break and it's 4 days to Porto which I should get through on Friday. Hope to then have a day break on Saturday before then starting the last final leg to Santiago. Edward was talking about taking the litoral or central route rather than the coastal route simply because the coast is just a lot of hotels and modern buildings rather than the more tradition culture of Portugal. So, I'll consider that after I leave Porto to see whether I head inland and I'll just see and that may work better in terms of distances between towns and accommodation. But aside from that, it's been so far uneventful and pleasant, peaceful, all I can hope for in a walk. No injuries which is the most important thing. The left leg is a little bit more tired because of the ligaments being weak but nothing significant. Um hopefully I'll make good progress today and find a cafe in a couple of kilometers and have a break.
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