Slough of Despond

CAMINO PORTUGUES Day 12 Rabaçal to Coimbra

Sorry this isn't the nicest of photos but it's part of the daily reality of walking the Camino :-) Ever since that unexpected night walk to the supermarket in flip flops, I've had an annoying blister under my foot which has now burst and was so painful last night that I thought we would be getting a taxi to Coimbra today. Luckily I'm with a great nurse who dressed the blister expertly with Compeed and tape (the Compeed just fell off when I tried earlier). It has stayed on all day and I have walked 18.83 miles. We made a rile to stop every 3 miles, have some water and food and take off shoes and socks to air the feet. It seems to have worked.

The first half of the route today involved some nice off road walking and later on some harder pavement pounding. Coming into Coimbra was a bit of a shock as we haven't seen this many people since Lisbon. A lot of tourists all crowded into narrow streets and taking photos of those street performers who pretend to be statues. I couldn't wait to get to our hostel and take off my rucksack and have a shower.

Then...the Slough of Despond. The first person in our entire trip who wouldn't accept our vaccination certificates. She made us do a Covid test while she watched all the while. I was all fingers and thumbs, so tired! Thank goodness neither of our tests were positive and we were allowed to check in.

I've showered and I'm lying down. Phew!