Apúlia → Eposende/Marinhas (16,3km)

The house was really quiet but cold. I wore two fleeces and wrapped myself up in sheets and duvets. I didn’t sleep well because of all the new conversations and inspirations.
After a cup of tea and a bread roll with chocolate, I said my goodbyes and set off at 9 o’clock.

After half an hour I gave up, because my favourite café – which I’d picked out on Google Maps – was closed, and the other cafés were either right on the street or in the shade.

And it was just like yesterday: I’d already covered about 6 km and had just 6 km left to my next stop. When you walk for several days in a row, your body gets used to it and you start to want more. I’m sure that if I hadn’t booked all my accommodation in advance, I’d now be walking longer distances, but then I’d also have to spend time looking for places to stay, and I might run into problems with my foot. So I’ll carry on with my mindful pilgrimage, taking my time (though not necessarily all the time in the world 😉).

Then I spotted a sign advertising a ‘Pilgrim Menu’ from a restaurant that had just opened, quite close to the bench where I’d been sitting earlier. And that’s where I had my lunch - unfortunately. 

The beef pad wasn’t cooked through properly, and I thought it didn’t matter or that it was just the way it was supposed to be. Luckily, I’d only eaten half the pad, but I had stomach ache and bloating for the rest of the afternoon. Now I’m worried, and can only hope it doesn’t get any worse.

I walked across the long road bridge and then along the river to Esposende, where the river flows into the sea. There, I rested on a set of seats belonging to a closed beach bar, sheltered from the wind, and tried to enjoy the lovely view of the sea despite feeling a bit worried and uneasy.

After my self check-in, I went to the supermarket around the corner and bougt Kamillentee and some Snacks. Now I'm sipping my tea 😛at the terrace in front of the house on the busy road and 16°C.