🎵 Song of the Day
“Don’t Stop” – Fleetwood Mac
> A reminder that better days are always ahead. Keep walking, keep believing.
📸 Picture of the Day
A selfie with Andreas, Marcus, Asha, and me – four pilgrims, four beers, one great night. Shared laughter, a few soccer goals, and a lot of Camino spirit. It’s moments like these that remind me this journey isn’t just about the steps we take — but who we walk with.
🌻 Sunflower Planting of the Day
No planting today — not every day gives the perfect spot. But I carry Angé’s sunflower in my pocket and in my heart. She would have loved the fun last night, the warmth, and the kindness between strangers who’ve become friends.
🚶 Camino Day 4: A Short Walk, a Close Call, and Walking a Little Higher
Last night was one of the best evenings yet. After a few hard, reflective days, it felt good to just breathe. Myself, Andreas, Marcus, and Asha found a local pub, grabbed a couple of beers, and watched the soccer. No big revelations, no deep conversations — just laughter, relaxation, and the joy of good company. Recess for the soul.
Today was only 14 km — a short, calm walk. Overcast skies, cool air, and a sense of ease. Accommodation in this river-hugging part of Portugal is scarce, especially for pilgrims. Holidaymakers have taken up many of the auberges meant for us — places that are simple, affordable, and meant for the Camino spirit. So I adjusted the plan: short today, 20 km tomorrow, and a long 32 km on Sunday.
And that’s fine. Because today I had time.
Time to climb up onto stone banks, walk above the road, look down at the quiet riverside towns, and enjoy the Camino from just a little higher up. Here’s a photo — not of some famous view, but of a small perspective shift. A peaceful, cobbled path with space to breathe.
🎧 A Close Call
Mid-walk, the music in my earbuds stopped suddenly. Something felt… wrong. Silence isn’t normal when Fleetwood Mac is playing. I reached for my pocket — and the phone was gone. Somehow, it had fallen out nearly a hundred metres back. Thank goodness for Bluetooth — that last few metres of signal saved me. I turned back, and there it was, lying on the path. Maps, Camino contacts, Angé’s messages, everything — still with me. Sometimes silence is the only warning you need. And sometimes the Camino returns what you didn’t know you were about to lose.
💬 A Trail of Acceptance
One of the most beautiful things about walking the Camino is the people. Everyone’s carrying something — a story, a wound, a reason for walking. But there’s no judgment. You accept each other exactly as you are. There’s a quiet grace in that. A shared understanding that we’re all figuring it out as we go. On the trail, there’s no hierarchy — just humans walking. It’s something I wish the real world held onto more tightly: this simple, accepting companionship.
💔 The Missing Touch
As I walk, thoughts of Angé walk with me. And today, what I felt most sharply was the absence of touch. Not romance. Not anything loud or dramatic. Just… the good morning hug. The falling asleep hand-in-hand. A back rub. A gentle cuddle. The way she would quietly reach out and squeeze my shoulders as she walked past while I was working at my computer — her silent way of saying, I see you. I love you. I’m near.
I miss being able to reach out, even half-asleep, and know she was there. It’s not just human contact I miss — it’s her touch. Her presence. Her way of saying “I’m here” without a single word.
I still reach out sometimes. And then remember.
And so I walk.
🎗 Item Lost
Lost today: my bright yellow sunflower Camino hat. Feeling it. It’s just a hat, maybe — but it was my hat. Angé’s hat. Bright, cheerful, unmistakable. It made people smile. It made me smile. I hope someone else finds joy in it. But today, it feels like something important slipped quietly away.
🌊 Afternoon by the River
Spent the afternoon at the river. Found a small beach, took a dip, and let the cool water wash away the heat and the heaviness of the day. There was something simple and healing about just swimming, floating, and letting the moment be enough. A reminder that rest is also part of the Camino.
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