Day 4 (2021-Oct-23) – Alverca ->> Azambuja [36 Km, 47 817 steps]
#1milhaodepassos #onemillionstepshike day 4: done. From #alverca to #azambuja, it was a long and exhausting day, as expected. Some discrepancies between the physical and the GPS paths, resulted in an extra 6 km than expected. The path has been mostly empty, which for me is an up side. Arriving at Azambuja I was honored by the presence of my parents that awaited me. Today and tomorrow I’ll be sleeping at the family house. VIP treatment @francisca_4294! It’s only 9 PM, but I’m busted. Gonna crash. #tchauaíócatano
Starting day 4, the first fulltime day
Starting day 4, the first fulltime day
A pit stop along the way
A pit stop along the way
Vila Franca de Xira
Vila Franca de Xira
a break with a view to Tagus
a break with a view to Tagus
Crossing over the train line in Vila Franca
Crossing over the train line in Vila Franca
never ending pavement at Castanheira do Ribatejo
never ending pavement at Castanheira do Ribatejo
Vila nova da Rainha and it's ancient bridge
Vila nova da Rainha and it's ancient bridge
The gathering at Azambuja with my Parents
The gathering at Azambuja with my Parents
Day 5 (2021-Oct-24) – Azambuja ->> Santarém [37 Km, 50 560 steps]
#1milhaodepassos #onemillionstepshike day 5, departure from #azambuja and quite soon I’ve started to have Tagus river as a companion. It was Sunday, a hunting day, so I needed to stay alert and make myself seen… The path close to the Tagus river, is most of the way on top of flood protecting walls, which provide a higher perspective to the plains. From Porto de Muge until Santarém, the path is on a dirt road covered with powder dust in large quantities. Thankfully there wasn’t a lot of traffic. The heat and dust combination is to say the least, nasty. As the day was rolling at a good pace, I opted for an extra stretch of 4Km and ended at Santarém train station, located at Ribeira de Santarém. At the end of the day, I reached the 124 Km mark and for the second time, my parents waited for me to give me a ride back to the resting place for tonight. Tomorrow, the cuddles end 😒. Stay safe. #tchauaíócatano
Starting the day at Azambuja
Starting the day at Azambuja
The Tagus plains and a fantastic sunrise
The Tagus plains and a fantastic sunrise
The Tagus plains and a fantastic sunrise
The Tagus plains and a fantastic sunrise
Sun breaking the horizon
Sun breaking the horizon
Vineyards and corn plantations were everywhere
Vineyards and corn plantations were everywhere
Santarém at a distance
Santarém at a distance
The fine dust kept me company
The fine dust kept me company
End of the day at Santarém with the guard of honor
End of the day at Santarém with the guard of honor
Day 6 (2021-Oct-25) – Santarém ->> Golegã [35 Km, 46 489 steps]
#1milhaodepassos #onemillionstepshike day 6 and once again I was graced by my parents’ company and ride to today’s starting point: #santarém train station, 7 AM. Deeply appreciated by these couple of days of support and cuddies. The real deal is about to get started. Today’s path starts on a paved road with little to none shoulders, but soon enough it gets into rural paths. As I move along, Santarém shrinks on the horizon, and when the Sun breaks into appearance, you can barely distinguish it from the top of the plateau. About 3 hours into the day, I cross paths with a green #ferrari, a precious symbol of the brand’s origin. The day continued with . The day progressed at a good pace, short but restful stops and a huge number of parachute caterpillars that threw themselves from the tree tops with a fine silk strand… The arrival to #golegã happens on a busy, no side-walk road, requiring constant focus and attention, although all the cars and trucks that I went by were careful. I’m busted. More to come tomorrow. #tchauaíócatano
Kicking off at Santarém
Kicking off at Santarém
Again plains and more plains
Again plains and more plains
A Ferrari!
A Ferrari!
Dirt roads, my favorites
Dirt roads, my favorites
Hehehe, rabo...
Hehehe, rabo...
Fully loaded
Fully loaded
Autumn full fledged
Autumn full fledged
Taking a break
Taking a break
The kamikaze caterpillars
The kamikaze caterpillars
Arriving at Golegã
