Spring

The nights have become significantly colder, but the daytime temperatures are delightful again. The sun is shining with a fresh breeze; it’s ideal hiking weather. When I head out, it’s only ten degrees, but it feels like spring. Suddenly, I have that feeling of ‘I’m in love,’ even though there’s no one else involved. It’s special to feel that alone.

Creative shopping

After six kilometers, there’s a bar with a minimarket. Luckily, because besides the chestnuts, I didn’t have much else. The selection is limited, but I shop creatively. I manage to make do. They have cans with quite tasty dishes made from beans and stewed meat, and I add some vegetables myself. A bit fresh, a bit canned.

Mental battle

While I felt in love and flitted along the paths in the morning, by afternoon, I’m mentally hindering myself. I don’t want to climb, I’m not in the mood for it, but there are hills on my route. A mental battle with a heavy heart. That resistance makes a 10% incline feel like a 20% one to me. Impossible with a cart of cans.

Moodswings

Today, the conditions seem to dictate my mood because after the climb, there’s a gravel-paved path without large stones or tree stumps. A luxury for my cart and my feet, and I’m as happy as can be. Speaking of moodswings…

Camping by the spring

At the end of the afternoon, I’m climbing to Penamacor, but that doesn’t interest me right now. It’s a large village that isn’t one of the twelve historical villages, but it certainly doesn’t fall short. There’s plenty to see again. Churches, a tower, a beautiful historic town center. And I take my time to enjoy all of it, because more than a kilometer before Penamacor, I’ve already spotted an ideal camping spot by a spring. If I don’t find anything better, I can always walk back to that spot, which I do when the sun sets. I can make good use of the water for washing some clothes and of course myself. Being clean is important to me.

Overnight stay: Penamacor