Day 10 Coimbra to Mealhada

The usual routine up at 0400, then throwing a roll into our unsuspecting stomachs, rucksacks on then check out and hitting the road by 0430.

I do not think we missed much in the darkness as we left Coimbra, we walked along side an overgrown disused canal. Both of us felt felt very tired, I think the combination of walking for ten days and little sleep was beginning to take its toll on us.

As dawn broke we could it was very cloudy, it was to stay that way for the entire walk.

We walked through Rotunda and Ademia, small little villages, it was soon time for our five mile break, we had been on Tarmac since we started.

Nice legs!!!!

If you look at the photo of the church, you will see speakers on the roof, all the churches have them instead of bells, using synthesised melodies to mimic traditional church pealing. 

I assume this is Saint James .

We were still on Tarmac when we walked through Adeos, we were told today was a Portuguese bank holiday and did not expect to find anything open and were delighted to find this cafe open for the obvious reason!!!

I tell you we know a tasty tart when we see one!!!

Dog on a blog time, I can hear you all going aaaahhh how sweet!!

We passed through Santa Luzia and then entered woodland, it was nice to be walking on a softer surface.

All too soon we were back onto roads but it was lovely walking never the less.

Girls at the office, this was priceless, goat heaven.

It was if they were hitching a ride they were not tethered, shortly after this came a great camino moment, a lady came towards us on the other side of the road walking two sheep and a goat.

We stopped opposite her and took the above photo. We said hello and she wished us a good journey, and we walked off, only to find that one of the sheep had turned round and decided he wanted to go to Santiago with us and charged after us and started to walk with us.

She managed to get him back, then he decided again that he wanted to come with us and we had to turn round and walk him back to her.

It was a special moment and we had a great laugh with the farmer.

The next village we came to was Rotatoria.

Note speakers again.

20 minutes later we arrived at Mealhada. We were exhausted and hungry which gave us just the excuse we needed to stop at a cafe.

Not the best we have had but a tart is a tart!!!

We moved on feeling refreshed to try and find our hotel

This is a great wine producing region, where they say "God created water but man made wine "

We found our hotel which is right at the other end of the town which means we have a mile and a half less to do tomorrow.

Only 39 euros for a very nice hotel indeed; everything is so much cheaper here. We checked in at 1145 washed clothing and had some lunch followed by a much needed sleep I must say I do feel better for an afternoon nap.

Cheers!! 

It is now 1805 and the blog is done, bliss!!

Today has been a hard day for both of us, I think we hit the wall this morning but I am pleased to say we walked through it, though we are tired our spirits are high.

We have been walking for 10 days without a break and we cannot wait to get to Porto in four days time for two days off. Matt and Martin will be joining us there and I know the tart tally will rise dramatically.

I5 miles tomorrow 

Stats for today

Walked 15. 5 miles

Distance walked 166 miles

Distance to Santiago 215

Portuguese Tarts 43

We have just bumped into Steve who we have met along the way a few times,he showed us his blisters,we are not worthy!!!

Dinner tonight