SKL's Walking Blog

Portugal – 8

Arrifana to Carrapateira

Balls’d up this morning big time. I started off up the cliffs even though I saw no way-markers. Ended up off the track making it up as I went along. Sticking close to the sea had me up and down some shitty slopes and struggling along boulder strewn beaches. I was down to 1K an hour. Gave up and struck inland-ish and eventually reconnected with the trail. Must have added 2 hard hours on to my trip. 7 hours instead of 5 today – f’d.

Hard to see. but peeps up and surfing already.
Early morning sun gives you giant legs. The little wave, or shark fin bollards were the point of this.
I’ve just come down that slidy as fuck thing right on the edge and up this steep slope. Of course, I could have just walked along the beach and then climbed this hill. Dumb Shit.
A better shot of the surfer beach and Arrifana above. Just about got my wind back. Thought I was going to throw again.
Once there was three but now a lone soldier braves the waves.
The river has cleaned everything away and now runs on a bed of rock.
Fuck me bendy! but that was exciting getting down from there.
1K of ankle breakers coming up.
Look at those lovely gentle trails further back that I couldn’t see. Weep! Oh world! Weep for your wayward son. I decided not to keep along the coast. Although it’s much shorter, it is far too dangerous on your own. So, up this road to see where it takes me.
Up in the hill country again.
Damn fucked off and slightly lost in the woods face.
Success at last. Back with the way-markers. Such joy a simple thing brings.
The red rusty road through the pines and even though I’m well knackered – feeling good.
Had no breakfast. Nowhere to get any. Wishing I hadn’t thrown away my nuts, apple and banana from when I was sick the other day. You can just about see the beach. 3 miles to go, then another 3 to the village.
Just about make out Arrifana behind those nasty looking dark cliffs.
Nice beach at Carrapateira.
The village is way up there beyond those massive dunes.
Those bloody pigeons are stealing the poor cow’s meal.
I should have turned right here to digs but I’m off up the hill in search of lunch.
Up there to the main street.

I’m wondering if I’ve reached my limit. Today was too hard. Although that was partly my own fault so, maybe I should give myself a break. Still nothing from the old bod by way of ramping up to deal with the pain the way it would have done even 20 years ago so, I assume it is not going to and I’m just creating a problem for the future. Yap and whine.