After yesterday's efforts, we decided we needed a rest day to allow our bodies to rest and recuperate . Today is also Margita's birthday and so we spent a leisurely day wandering around Santarem. It's very quiet today as it's Sunday but there are plenty of things to see including the old Roman castle and outpost, the cathedral and numerous churches and statues. The hostel where we are staying is new and the people who run it are very friendly and helpful. They...

Azambuja to Santarem I have just enjoyed a wonderful refreshing shower and stayed for ages so that my aching body could be revitalised. The sun has been relentless and there has been little or no shade. We made many short stops for food, water and a little break. Knowing it was going to be a long 30kms walk across flat agricultural land, we set off early in the cool morning air. The mist rose atmospherically on the waterways as the sun came up. We passed fie...