Today was a shorter day in length but it was never an even path—always up or down. The trail was not consistently marked so we missed some arrows and ended up retracing our steps and/or asking locals for advice.
Finally, the directions to the hotel were vague and we spent at least an hour circling the hotel on steeply up and down streets. Finally, we had to enable cellular ($$), call the hotel, and have a taxi sent to pick us up. We have determined that a taxi is necessary for any trips outside the hotel, a frustrating element for any Camino walkers. Even if it were safe to exit the hotel and walk, it is about an hour to walk to the old town. This hotel would never have been my choice for the Camino; we have never been booked so far outside the Camino route or town.
12.85 mile hiking day; 9:22 am to 5:03 pm.13.84 total miles for the day; 1,547 feet elevation change.
Click the link to view the Relive video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vWqB3EAA7Yv
Dan Hendry: What a frustrating day. You deserve better! You are both two very determined people!. 2022/09/26
Reply: I was very frustrated and will share that with my booking company, but we decided to let it pass for now and enjoy beautiful Coimbra. It is amusing to direct taxis to laundromats and the side of the road by a highway and a street, but it worked (eventually) and we safely got to and from. More pictures soon—too tired last night! 2022/09/26
Ann Prazza: Oh so glad you got to enjoy the taxis! You both have such great attitudes! Pilgrims for sure.❤️ 2022/09/29
Reply: I could get used to these taxis! Too bad Richard doesn’t allow it! 2022/09/29
Wanda Penner: What’s a vacation without one hotel you could not find or something else was wrong with it! You are good sports to sleep in different rooms night after night. How are the feet holding up? I find the relics of many years past interesting. 2022/09/25
Reply: Bad feelings fade a bit with a night’s rest. I was pretty frustrated yesterday but decided to enjoy the taxis—even to the laundromat. I’ve been babying my feet and one blister and are hoping things resolve soon. They sell wonderful “toe tees” that add softness to the balls of the feet and help a lot. Today in Coimbra we saw amazing historical buildings including a church from the time of the Santiago pilgrimages—1200’s. Amazing to imagine pilgrims in the same building for 800 years. More pictures tomorrow! 2022/09/25
Ann Prazza: Such travails! You are truly pilgrims. Have a lovely rest day. 22/09/25