2022 Thursday, Sept 22

Alvaiazere to Alvorge (Vale Florida)

Alvaiázere to Vale Florida, a couple of miles outside Alvorge.

15.92 miles hiking 8:59 am to 7:24 pm; 17.3 total miles for the day and 1587 elevation gain.

Today’s Relive video: https://www.relive.cc/view/v26Mr47En3q

Cafe O Bràs in Alvaiazere: Karen from Nova Scotia and Elizabeth from Boston at breakfast
At breakfast at Cafe O Bràs, we met Karen from Nova Scotia and Elizabeth from Boston. We all agreed that this week’s hiking has been incredibly hot.
Richard leaving Alvaiazere, preparing to cross turbine-covered hill
There was cloud cover early but much of it has dissipated by the time we left. We have this “hill” with wind turbines to cross first thing this morning.
Our Lady of Fatima shrine
Our path is again crossing the Camino Fatima. This sculpture outside a church memorializes when Mary appeared to three young shepherd children.
a fairy door in a wall
Who knows what lies beyond this little hobbit door?
rubber tree forrest
The road out of town again follows some cork trees. These appear to be younger and are probably planted as a grove.
walnuts placed out to dry
As we traveled through tiny hamlets along the hill, we saw laundry being hung, gardens being tended,
On the road with Camino markers
Eucalyptus forests shaded our path.
burned landscape
Unfortunately, not everything has survived forest fires.
Camino markers
This signage was good, but not all the markers were this clear as there were two major pilgrimage routes (marked by blue and yellow arrows) and numerous other trails (marked by red and yellow lines).
rough trail
The mountain is full of limestone boulders that they make into rock walls. It can be treacherous for walking so we had to slow down. Poles are called for on the steep down hill stretch.
trailside art in the trees
A reminder to look up sometimes. This delicate lacework was strung in the trees. The sign was in Portuguese, so we don’t know if it has purpose or is art.
chapel used as part of the wall
The edge of this tiny chapel forms a guardrail for the highway. Inside, it is a peaceful chapel.
inside the chapel used as part of a wall
Ansiao town sign
Lunch break at Ansião.
Another forest trail
Back in the road after refreshing salads and Coke Zeros, we’re still among the limestone boulders.
really rough rocky trail
Some of the paths required great care to make sure to stay safe. Both of us suffered foot pain overnight.
church at Alvorge
We finally reached the church at Alvorge, and I convinced Richard to call for a taxi since the lodging was another couple of miles off the Camino. We called the lodging for help ordering the taxi, but instead, they picked us up for the transport.
Vale Florida (accommodation for the night) - kitchen
Our room included a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen area.
Vale Florida (accommodation for the night) - bar where meals are served
Meals were offered at the nearby family bar.
Vale Florida (accommodation for the night) - bar
celebratory beers
The celebratory beers.

Comments:

No comments today