Firstly many thanks to all those who have responded to my blister problem - it does seem that a primary cause of blisters is perspiring feet while walking - so one recommendation is to spray the feet with antiperspirant before putting socks on. There is a also a product that you can buy 'Bodyglide' which goes on like a deodorant stick to prevent chafing or if all else fails Vaseline applied to the feet should help. I will let you know how it goes but I always carry the wonderful animal wool that I have mentioned previously.

Well it has been quite a week! On Saturday I went to the National Bike Fair at Santarem (80km north of Lisbon) and yes there were bikes, bikes and more bikes. I never realised that the top of the range bike frames could be so expensive (7 - 8,000 euro!) But there were plenty of bikes at the lower end of the price range and I did learn quite a bit.

This was followed by a short two day trip to Madeira where I had the most brilliant time. It is amazing what you can achieve in two days if you put your mind to it. I visited virtually the whole island, checking out the new flood prevention system, looking at hotels, plus walking a levada which was new to me. None of this would have been possible without the kindness and generosity of Margarete, a good friend and colleague who looks after all our clients who visit Madeira. Margarete if you read this - thank you so much!

I returned just in time to lead the Wednesday walk on the west coast - absolutely fantastic - brilliant weather, scenery and a great crowd of people.

Now it is time to rest.............

During the walk this Wednesday many were heard to comment 'they say the Algarve is over developed, well they should come here!'. We were about 15 miles inland the scenery was just brilliant, green and totally, totally unspoilt - not a new villa, golf course or apartment block in sight. We watched local women picking olives from the trees by hand (see photo) and we were invited to help them during a friendly exchange while many took photos.

I keep banging on about it and eventually people will sit up and listen! Yes parts of the Algarve are completely ruined by developments particularly along the coast and the Portuguese are in fact in danger of ruining and spoiling a coastline that has long been an attraction (you have to blame the Portuguese because they are the ones at the end of the day who give the planning permission) but beyond this is an Algarve where tradional life still goes on, where the 20 or so olive trees on the small holding matter, where the dozen or so chickens matter, where the 2 or 3 pigs by the side of the house feeding on the scraps matter - the local people who depend on the land for a living struggle everyday, life in Portugal as in many other countries is becoming more and more expensive and there is very little income. Traditions are still there to be found, in a beautiful countryside where very, very friendly people will welcome you. Go and discover for yourselves!

The latest research tells us that if we walk 5 - 8 miles a week it helps stop the degeneration of our brain cells and hence helps slow down dementia ................now what was I saying?
Ha! It does not matter how much I walk (and I walk as lot) but I am very prone to blisters, it doesnt improve with a better quality walking shoe but if anyone out there has any tips (other than soaking my feet in surgical spirit)I would appreciate hearing from them. Once the blister is on its way then the animal wool (mentioned in my last blog) is brilliant but I would love not to have the blisters to start with.
It was a great walk on Wednesday close to the Odelouca river with the sun shining and good views. For the first time in my life while walking a truck came along and stopped (in the middle of no where on a track)and told me (in Portuguese) that I was on private property (I was not) and to turn round and go back! I told him I was continuing, he swore at me and then looked up to see over 40 people enjoying the walk behind me (a hill slope had obscured his view). I continued on, he swore again and then started his truck and went off. This was the very first time I had met such an unpleasant character in this great country and I hope it is the last. The whole encounter gave everyone something to talk about over a welcome beer at the end of the walk.

A few weeks since my last post but that is because I have been away walking and for personal security reasons it is not expedient to announce that I am not at home as my regular readers know.
But to fill you in - I spent a wonderful few days in the north at Ponte de Lima staying with me good friend Isabel and her family at Casa Arrabalde, those who have stayed here know that Isabel is a wonderful host. My remit was to go over some established walks and look at some new trails (part of this has been at the invitation of the Valimar organisation) plus I wanted to find another good quality manor house to extend and improve our Minho - Costa Verde walk. This was all done and the new walk will be launched in the next few weeks under a new name.
From here I went on to lead the group walk to Santiago de Compostela - which once again was a great pleasure - thank you to everyone for the laughter, the sharing of lambs wool for blisters(I cannot begin to tell you how great this product is and is available at Boots chemists in the UK) and the support we gave each other for our aching legs, suspect knees and sore feet! This time there were far more on the Camino than at any time previously (I have now walked this 14 yes 14 times) - I know this is a Holy Year but there was never that many people in Santiago in May when I was last there.
People walk the Camino for a variety of reasons, some spiritual other just because it is a great walking experience. There is just such a sense of achievement once we finally reach our destination - I must just say a big thank you to Olga who made a DVD of her journey along the Camino with me last year - she sent me a copy this August and it brings alive the walk and the fun we shared.