8 May 2014
Golegã seemed a slightly strange town. Full of very grand houses within the centre of the town, mostly with large plots containing lots of outbuildings and beautiful gardens, but with virtually no sign of life, either last evening or at 7-ish this morning. I think we only saw two people as we walked more than a kilometre out of town. It is an area famous for horse breeding, but I have seen almost no sign of horses, although there are many street signs and house plaques alluding to them.
I had a simple meal of chicken and chips last night at the Cafe Central, situated on the main square, washed down with a bottle of sparkling wine – most acceptable!
We made a leisurely start this morning because today is equivalent to a day off. Only 13 km because we have decided to split the next stage into two legs, so that we have time tomorrow to look around the Templar city of Tomar.
More road walking to begin the day. No shoulder to walk on, but a quiet road. But the problem with quiet roads is that the traffic zooms past at terrific speed. It’s not so bad when the vehicles are approaching only from one direction because there is sufficient room for them to pull out round you, but on the odd occasion when vehicles pass from both directions at the same time, then get ready to head for the hedges. There isn’t much room for miscalculation.
This morning was quite chilly, overcast with a strong, cool wind. Good walking weather (slightly better with a blue sky and less wind – but who’s complaining?)
Road walking without a shoulder is uncomfortable as well as potentially dangerous. Where the road cambers (slopes) towards the edge, it puts a strain on the outside tendons of the foot because of the downward angle it is forced to take. And it is necessary always to walk facing the traffic, so it is always the same foot that suffers.
It would also help to put a spring in the step if I could listen to music during road walking, but it is so important to hear when traffic is approaching from behind, that I don’t dare plug in.
After about 5km we came, to a small village and I found a bench to sit on so that I could check on an odd feeling on my right heel. Couldn’t see anything, but put some tape on just in case!
A short distance further and we came to the amazing virtually abandoned Quinta da Cardiga. Back in 1169 the first king of Portugal donated the land to the Templar Knights. The buildings, many in complete ruin, cover a huge area and are fascinating in their dilapidated state. The main house seems to be maintained and the surrounding plantings are kept in order. It is built on the banks of the river Tejo and there is a sandy beach to the side of the house. We saw an elderly man wondering in the grounds and chatted to him for a while, he asked us where we came from and was very impressed when Elly told him she was from Australia. I asked if he lived in the house and he said yes, but I can’t be sure he understood the question. He walked towards the main door, and just as I had decided to ask him if we might be able to have a peek inside, the door closed behind him, and our chance was gone.
We spent quite some time drinking in the calm and beauty of the place – a little piece of heaven!
On our way once again, we walked on farm tracks for a while. The sun had come out and the sky had cleared to a bright blue. I saw these egrets hitching a ride with some sheep who were too busy munching grass to take any notice.
Just one flower offering for you again today, this tiny wild rose bud that I spotted in the hedgerow at ground level. There are lots of wild roses growing here and they are beautiful, sometimes a complete wall of roses rising to 3 or 4 metres and sometimes a lonely bud like this one, but all of them absolutely beautiful.
I stopped to take a photo of the clearing sky but didn’t realise that I had caught some birds in the pic. Looking at the photo I first thought they were storks because they are so big, but on closer inspection they are obviously not – more like some large bird of prey – any offers??
So after 13 short kilometres we arrived at the village of Atalaia and are staying in a mansion house which has special pilgrims’ rates of 20 euros per person for a twin room with ensuite, beautiful garden with small swimming pool. The property is 500 years old and is the family home of señora who welcomed us when we arrived. The windows all have beautiful curtains with handmade lace edgings and there is much interesting period furniture and knick-knacks. Unfortunately a busy road runs immediately in front of the property, the once towering and glorious palm tree at the entrance has been seen off by the palm beetle, there is a monstrosity of a building erected in the garden which seems to be used for functions and probably weddings, and there is some building work taking place at the moment, erecting a new covered terrace. The room is very comfortable and we have use of communal areas.
Check out this link if you want to see photos
http://www.casadopatriarca.com/en/galeria/
I made the most of the sunshine this afternoon and laid out on the lawn to see if I couldn’t do something about diminishing the sleeve lines I have developed on my upper arms.
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Strange there were no inhabitants to be seen except for the two. Makes me think of all kinds of mysteries.
Love the pictures. The well depict history and peace. 🙂
LikeLike
It was a bit like a ghost town this morning, we kept expecting to see tumble weed around every corner!
LikeLike
That’s along the lines I was going…and spooky movies. 😀
LikeLike
Another wonderful post. Thank you! Those big birds were interesting, especially with that split tail. I will try to find out their name.
LikeLike
Thanks Kristina, it would be good to know.
LikeLike
How lovely the Quinta da Cardiga is – and what a shame it is mostly abandoned. Hmmmm… that’s a worrying aspect of walking the Camino – having to walk at the side of a narrow, two-way road with no shoulder. Be extra careful, Maggie ….. but I know you are 🙂
Love your rosebud photo for today. Very pretty indeed.
Continuing Buen Camino to you and Elly 🙂
LikeLike
It’s beautiful Marianne, and such a peaceful environment. We were thinking all the buildings would make a fantastic place for craft workshops and specialist producers.
We’re taking care on the roads – it’s not as bad as I had been led to believe.
Thanks for your good wishes.
LikeLike
My friends here were looking at my blog and accidentally touched the window where yours is. I was smiling as they oohd and aahd over my wonderful photos when I realised they were looking at yours. x
LikeLike
Oh well, at least I got a smile out of it!
LikeLike
Hi, Planning an attempt on either the Frances or the Potuguese camino in 2 years and just started training. Both working so might be a case of doing the Portuguese then trying the Frances after retiring (not very far off!!). Thinking of starting the Portuguese from Porto so really looking forward to the rest of the blog. Photos are super. Thanks for making the effort.
LikeLike
Hi Peter, there are more pilgrims than I expected on this section, so I am sure there will be loads more starting at Porto. Enjoy your training – it’s all part of the fun.
LikeLike
What a shame you didn’t get to see inside the Quinta da Cardiga. Did you have a swim in the pool at your accommodation ? How is that blister ? Hope it is not making the walking too much harder.
LikeLike
I would have loved to be able to poke around in that wonderful building. Blister almost gone and no new ones – yet. Didn’t swim, just lazed on the lawn!
LikeLike
It’s good you are building in shorter routes with time to enjoy rest periods – very important to pace yourself and savour the experience. xx
LikeLike
Yes Janice, shorter days are a lot kinder on the body. Some people have really awful blisters already.
LikeLike
The Templar’s place sounds and looks very interesting. Great pics as usual.
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike
Hi Mag and Helly
A little bit of history of the Convent of the Order of Christ , Round church (Charola)
The Convent of the Order of Christ (Portuguese: Convento de Cristo) is a religious building and Roman Catholic , originally a Templar stronghold built in the 12th century. After the Order of the Knights Templar was dissolved in the 14th century, the Portuguese branch of the order was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ, which supported Portugal’s maritime discoveries of the 15th century. The Convent of Christ of Tomar is one of Portugal’s most important historical and artistic monuments and has been in the World Heritage list of UNESCO since 1983.
The famous round church (charola) of the castle of Tomar was also built in the second half of the 12th century. The church, like some other templar churches throughout Europe, was modelled after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which was believed by the crusaders to be a remnant of the Temple of Solomon.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem may also have served as model. According to Christian chroniclers, the castle of Tomar resisted in 1190 the attacks of caliph Abu Yusuf al-Mansur, who had previously taken other Portuguese strongholds to the South. A plaque near the entrance of the castle church remembers the feat.
Bom caminho
AMSimoes
LikeLike
Hello Mag,
Reading your blog in preparation for my own CP next April/May. The link to the hostel no longer works. Also note that the guide author is John Brierley and a new edition com out in January 2017.
Regards – Philip
LikeLike
Hi Philip. Many thanks for your comment. I have now updated the link to Casa Patriarca. I know there is an updated version of Brierly’s guide to the CP, but haven’t seen it.
Enjoy your planning, Bom Caminho.
LikeLike
Lovely pics and interesting details. Hope to walk 2020 sept first time. Your blog has helped me decide this route.
Thank you.
LikeLike
Hi Jackie. My great camino pal Marilyn is walking at the moment – set out early in September. Would you believe that she has met even worse weather than we did? The highest levels of rainfall since records began in Valencia causing disastrous flooding. But another friend who walked in May had wonderful weather. It is entirely 8mpossible to predict the weather these days. I hope it is kind to you. Buen camino!
LikeLike