2022 Thursday, Sept. 15

Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja

Today’s walk continued to follow the Rio Tejo, sometimes along busy highways and sometimes through park-like spaces. We left prepared for rain, but had only a few sprinkles throughout the day. Our trek ended at Azambuja, a town of about 7000 people, with minimal facilities.

Today’s hike was 12.24 miles, and with our walks examining the town, we went 16.9 miles for the day.

2022   Portugal    Camino Portuguese

Click to get today’s video: https://www.relive.cc/view/veqzmAxA776  Click out of the window to return to other photos.

Camino passing over train tracks at station stairs
We zigzagged the railroad tracks, and often went across the tracks through a station, utilizing their stairs to safely pass.
Richard walking along the road
Roadways often leave very little margin areas to avoid traffic. Luckily much of the route is not heavily traveled, but we work to avoid these roads if possible. Recent rains have made more pooling and mud, all the more challenging.
walking a farm road along a lake
This farm road is much safer and peaceful.
egrets on the lake disturbed by walkers
Our presence upset the birds, particularly the egrets that kept leaving to escape us.

It has been a new experience to see only two other pilgrims on two days of walking. We met two young ladies, one from Spain and one from Venezuela, but have had minimal contact with them other than a wave when we cross paths. However, we have had some of the best interactions with service and local people. The bartender yesterday longed to visit NYC’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and the singer/waiter in Lisbon both talked of America. Cafe customers have helped with translating and teaching us logistics like getting the key to use the WC.

Today around lunchtime we ducked into a cafe busy with locals and workers on lunch break. There was a menu chalkboard out front, but no written menus. We were stumped, but in communicating with the waitress, we settled on salads she could create. It was wonderful, and she shared how her son has attended school in England for four years and now is in a masters program in Holland hoping to teach philosophy and politics at the university level.

Noelia in Vila Nova da Rainha at our lunch restaurant
Lunch was served by Noelia in Vila Nova da Rainha.
kitty attitude in Vila Nova da Rainha
I can’t say we felt too welcomed by this cat with attitude, but it made us miss our kitty at home.
stork nest in an apartment chimney in Azambuja
During our dinner in Azambuja, we spotted a stork in one of the many nests of the town. This on in an apartment house chimney, was highlighted in the sunset light.

Comments: 

Wanda Penner: The stork has a very large nest. I wonder if it added on or that is just the way they build. 2022/09/17

Reply: We have seen a lot of fat nests with cloth, sticks, and assorted materials. Seldom have we seen the storks so this was a real sight. We see lots of empty nests so I’m sure some will appear in a picture. 2022/09/17

Dan Hendry: You’ll be happy to know that we aren’t being left out at home as we are supposed to get rain the next 3 days! Will think of you as we get our rain gear out of storage! Don’t know about your photos today. Cats and birds mixed together? Actually, love your photographer’s eye to catch all the variety of things you take pictures of. 2022/09/17

Ann Prazza: Wall Drug!!!! And the lobster looks like he’s waving hello. Great trek photos. Also love Richards video tour. I’m tired just reading it! Seems like not so many people. The tiles on all the homes are beautiful.