Day 3 Vilafranca de Xira to Azanbuja

We had a lie in today; we got up at 0630 had breakfast and were on the road by 0740 and it was straight onto a track. The sun was already well and truly up.

Sadly the track did not last very long and the rest of the walk was to be back on the dreaded Tarmac .

The views were simply stunning, took our breath away literally .

This is a real train spotters paradise as the Camino runs along the main rail link.

Every hotel we have stayed in thus far backs onto the railway line. We soon covered the first five miles and yet again it was beginning to get very hot by the time we found some shade under a motorway to take our boots off and check our feet and have some food and water. No, those are not my feet they are Yottys. He is beginning to get quite a collection

On we walked to Vila Nova de Rainha and it was scorching. Jeremy came to mind so I gave the sign that he knows so well.

At last we arrived at Rainha and found a cafe and had some water and a Portuguese Tart.

Dog on a blog time, they have been very thin on the ground today.

Sorry Guy, this is the best I could do for a cow on a blog.

The lovely team at European have asked for a goat on blog, sorry girls, well as near as damn it.

We were soon walking down the busy N3, there is no doubt walking on Tarmac is harder, especially as it seems to reflect the heat back at you.

We stopped at a petrol station for a much needed rest and we needed to get out of the noon day sun.

By now the heat was getting unbearable and it was only 1145. We came across one of our competitors, we were thinking that maybe we should talk Ian into opening a Portuguese branch.

At 1220 we arrived at our hotel; it was not a moment too soon.

Then it was straight up to our rooms and time to wash our clothing and have a shower.

Then down to the restaurant for some lunch and a chilled beer or two to wash down another Portuguese Tart.

We have at last met another walker, Oscar from Italy who is on his third camino.

I thought I would just share the fine view from our room for you.

After a snooze we walked into Azambuja, they are preparing for a bull run as all the shops are boarded up.

We then returned to our hotel for dinner and an early night.

Well today has only been 10 miles but it has been a tough walk in the heat and walking on Tarmac, we made a mistake by getting up late. If we are to finish this walk we are going to have to beat the sun so tomorrow we are getting up at 0445 and will be on our way by 0500. We have got a 20 mile walk ahead of us and sadly we will be saying goodbye to Barney, when we get to Santarem as he flies home tomorrow night.

Yottys feet are a worry but he is soldiering on well.

Barneys left foot is playing up big time ,the camino is already taking its toll.

I must say I am tired 

Stats for today

Walked  today 10 miles 

Total distance covered 38 miles

343 miles to Santiago 

Number of Portuguese Tarts had 15