Brutal heat again today. Walking out of Tomar was great although I was a bit perplexed by the trees having knitting wrapped around them. It is hardly as if these places are going to be suffering from terrible cold.
Good to be on the trail once more. The pack has done its usual magic trick of adding 2kgs. I thought I might beat the curse of the secret brick that appears this time - rigorous weighing of every single item before it gets put in the pack and I brought digital scales with me. But no, 11.5kgs (easy) magically transforms into 15.5 kgs (not so much fun) after I add 2kgs of water. Can’t think what’s happened.
If only I could weigh the digital scales....perhaps it was a mistake to buy ones made of cast-iron.
`Anyway, a delightful walk today. Lunch was in a little town called Alvaiazere, quite impossible to pronounce. It was at the one place that doesn't appear on Google maps as a restaurant but had the distinct advantage of being open. Cool place - the staff climbed in and out a window to avoid the long route via the door and there were an amusing couple of retired guys - a Fleming and a Brit - eating there and swapping stories. The Brit was a car enthusiast and was bemused by the whole idea of walking anywhere.
Then a pleasant walk to Ansiao. Had rented an entire house by the bridge for the evening but no real arrangements for picking up the key. However, while crossing the bridge someone shouted 'Nick?" at me which told me that there weren't too many tourists in town. Lovely young couple who were very grateful for the business and provided washing powder so I could get a wash in while having dinner. Dinner was at the couple's favourite place, the Adega Tipica, a restaurant that served insane portion sizes. The owner had worked in Germany and of course was happy to chat to me in German. I just sat there and nodded as it would have been a bit embarrassing to admit that I didn't understand a word he was saying.
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