13 days left, unlucky for some. Lucky for me, I am not superstitious.
Time to get the pack sorted, you might think? Time to check in that flight and get that last preparation walk before you go? No? Not exactly!
I’ve a few things I need to do before I can finally switch off and have a “Bom Caminho”!
- I see the podiatrist again tomorrow. I had hoped to have the all-clear last week but it wasn’t to be. Maybe this week.
- On Saturday. August 31st, a pilgrim blessing will be provided in St. James’s Church in Dublin. So that will be a great reason to fully pack the bag, and bring one of my scallop shells. I hope there is a good turnout.
- I want to take in one long walk before I go, and the 7th of September is the only day I am free. This is unusual for me. Before a Camino, I have at least 4 or 5 walks completed as preparation.
- I finish work on the 6th of September and I will leave the office lighter than a feather. I return on Monday, the 22nd after hopefully walking 11 days.
I stay in a hostel (there are no official albergues in Lisbon) beside the Castelo de San Jorge. It is not far from Lisbon Cathedral and the Alfama region, the start of the Caminho Portuguese. For those not familiar with Lisbon, the Castle is at the top of a steep hill but instead of walking to my hostel, I can get there by tram (see picture).
The Cathedral will be my starting point the following day as there is a bright yellow arrow at the base of the church. From there, all will be well. The first day is either 29 km to a place called Alverca do Ribatejo or 37 km to Vila Franca de Xira. It all depends how I feel.
More before I go!
Clearskies Camino 
Hi David. It’s a while since I commented on any of your blogs but I do read then as they come.
I share your anxiety about your your toe as I had a similar problem last year just before we started our second expedition along the Camino Francés. It was not quite as big a problem as you seem to having, I didn’t need to have my toe nail removed, but it was a close call.
I was rather concerned that your plan for the first day out from Lisbon could be 30+Kms. It seems a long way for a first day particularly with a bad toe. Could I respectfully suggest that you have a look at my blog of the Portuguese Camino where we bypassed the problem of limited places to stay as you leave Lisbon. We devised a *shuttle* plan where we broke down the first section into three small parts by using the, very cheap, local railway system. If your toe is still a problem it may help.
The blog is at :- CarrollsinPortugal.wordpress.com/?order=asc (the suffix makes it display in ascending date order,). You may also find other parts of the blog useful, or at least slightly interesting, for your Camino.
*Bom Camino*, regardless, for your journey. I look forward to reading your blog.
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Tony! It has been a while…I hope you and Barbara are well. Thank you for the link to your blog, I will read through your posts. I expect to reach at least Alverca, 29km and from the guidebooks and gronze.com, the terrain looks reasonable.
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I’m afraid 30km is my absolute max !! I’d just about make my bunk for a long siesta . Still it’s great to feel the excitement and anticipation in the run up to a Camino. Proof of life !
Ulteria
PJ
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Yes, I understand where you are coming from, and I will probably lean toward the side of caution on my first day. 29km is do-able, particularly as the terrain is flat and it is easy walking. There is no demand for beds too, like the Frances, which is a relief!
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Hola again David,
Just wondering if the Pilgrim Blessing on Saturday Aug 31st is at the 6.30pm evening Mass ?
P
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Hey PJ its at midday this Saturday.
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Muchas gracias 👍
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