We were in a hurry, because in the historic, traffic restricted, center of Viano do Castelo, the luggage had to be at the front door of the B&B by 8:00 am. As usual, I slathered my feet with Aquafor, quickly pulled up the socks, slid the into the boots and carried the bags to the front door where the driver of a small van was waiting. Paula and I then set off for our 28km walk to Caminha.

When we first start walking, early in the morning, we experience something like a surge of energy, maybe endophins are doing their work, each step is an acknowledgement that we are moving forward, everything and nothing is possiible.  After a few kilometers we are in a state of mild euphoria, we want to keep walking forever, but reality can go along or demand an alternative and it always asserts itself.   Sometimes it is in realizing we are on the wrong path or that the café we thought was ahead was actually an auto dealership.  Today it tapped my foot with a small pinpoint of pain around my Achilles tendon.  We ventured on, but eventually had to stop.  I discovered that in the morning rush my sock had bunched up at the heel, creating a small red irritation. Smoothed out the sock (catastrophy averted) back to walking , endorphins kicked back in.

It was a beautiful walk on a wodden promenard that wound its way through the dunes along the coastline of white sandy neaches lapped by gentle waves.  We reached Caminha late but satisfied that it had been a good day, our last day in Portugal.