2022 Wednesday, Sept. 28

Agueda to Albergaria a Velha

A walking day but has been arranged to transport us to Agueda for a second hotel night.

11.67 miles hike 9:33-4:24; 13.8 miles total day. Elevation +954 feet.

2022  Portugal  Camino Portuguese

Click to view today’s video: https://www.relive.cc/view/v26MrKjkE3q

Richard by the river in Agueda
Leaving Agueda in the early overcast morning.
Agueda art on a building
Leaving Agueda, this art mural is on the wall of a vineyard company.
a farm road pathway
Some of the roads were in beautiful Eucalyptis forests. Some were more like this rocky road.
walking along a highway bridge
This path along a busy freeway continued for a few miles. Here we crossed a highway span of more than a mile.
manor house in the town of Mourisca do Vouga
These manor houses in the town of Mourisca do Vouga seemed unoccupied and in ruin. What must these owners have done to maintain them in previous years, and what possibly has happened to allow beautiful real estate to go to waste?
manor house in the town of Mourisca do Vouga

When we arrived in Albergaria-a-Velha, we had a short wait for our transfer back to Agueda. We had had difficulties getting to our pick-up spot, Hotel Alameda, that was off the Camino. However, we soon realized that we were in the wrong place, and the pickup location was about 3 km up the road.

No problem! The hotel manager at the wrong hotel (who had no stake in keeping us happy) got on the phone and bargained for us to be picked up close to his location. when the plan was finally reset, he had a big smile on his face. Again, the friendly and helpful Portuguese people came through for us.

umbrella art in Agueda
Back in Agueda at the tourist office. First time we were able to catch any tourist office open!

Comments:

Dan Hendry: LOVED umbrella canopy in Agueda, Would love to visit this city. Also thanks for sharing different kinds of roads….ones you like and ones you do not. Too bad about those beautiful buildings not being taken care of. How is your blister? Are you having a good time? 22/09/30

Reply: We’re having a fine time but I’ll admit to feeling my age. We’re having more elevation changes now so there’s positives and negatives—slower walking but interesting towns. How they can build on a steep hill is amazing! My feet are getting tougher but I still follow a strict regimen with bandaids, athletic tape, and what I call “toe tees”. Thanks for asking.
Life is pretty simple for us—luggage management, breakfast, walk, beer to celebrate the end of the walk, dinner including a bottle of Portuguese vinho verde, and bed. We have extra rest days in Porto so we look forward to recharging there (arriving Saturday night). 2022/09/30