Experiencing a plane problem in Charlotte, we had to change to another plane and missed our connection in Lisbon to Porto. As the door opened after landing in Lisbon, a steward was there with boarding passes in hand. We had been reconnected to a (much) later flight. Although 5 hours later I do think it helped adjust to the time difference and we got to stretch the legs. Arriving in Porto, we were able to purchase a ticket, get on the right train in the right direction even changing lines and arriving to our hotel with only a 3 block down hill walk...7 hours later than we had planned but we made it. The next morning I realized my watch seemed to be slow, never thought to replace the battery before leaving, oh well who needs time on 'holiday', except someone who has group to meet, dinner times servings, wandering villages to meet bus at... hmmm oh right that's why Rick is with me and the phone works and we have been able to keep electronics charged quite well so far.
Had a wonderful time slept in a bit, toured and wandered Porto, had a port wine tour and tasting, dinner by the river and then overnight I was sick (Rick believes it may have been food poising, but we did eat the same things). Thank goodness we had planned extra days before meeting the group and beginning the walk. I was able to sleep in and rest before meeting the group at 1 that afternoon. An interesting group of 11 of us, from Canada, NJ and KS. We also have three guides with us an Australian, Gary, a Brit, Deborah, and her Argentinian husband, Pablo. We are very well covered in languages spoken and understood. It works well to have three so we can trek at the pace most comfortable to us with one in front so we don't miss our way markings and one guide in back to make sure we all make it and usually Deborah, as she says working like a sheep dog, making sure everyone is coming along and is doing well.
Guess this means I have nothing to do but let go and walk - everything is pretty much taken care for us! The rest stops for coffee and potty breaks seem to come just in time. Hotels are bit fancier class than our usual abodes and lets just say, losing weight will problem NOT be an option. One thing is the dinner meals are late, as in starting at 8 or 8:30 and going until past 10 - way past my bedtime. And the next morning we are usually headed out by 8:30. I am very glad we DID NOT decide to walk it with everything on our back and hopeing to find meals and accommodations when we are ready to stop!
I have been wearing a fitbit measuring the steps/miles walked and floors climbed. And some times the 'about ___kms' that Gary states is not quite as 'about'..more often longer. (which may be good since the first actual distance walked on the first day walk was what the tour brochure states will be the last 'Long Walk in to Santiago' and we have accomplished that distance in the rain no less! My measurements, as of tuesday evening crawling into bed, we have walked 67.96 miles both on the camino and walking the towns we stay in (city guide tours and to and from dinner). Oh and we have climber 486 'floors'.
We are off again and on our last 100 kilometers that must be walked to qualify for the compestela certificate. Have been watching the kilometers count down....step by step... Jo
one of the kilometer countdown markers
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