Porto Covo to Aljezur . . .

Last night's thought to walk to Cercal early and maybe push north to Vale Seco soon changed . . . setting out at 8 it was clear that since south was the destination for February, south was where to go today . . .

Talking with Marta and Ze Nicolau yesterday, we touched on the way fear may stop us living fully . . . Marta, having had procedures for arrhythmia and two brushes with death, fears a third may be final . . . and stimulates reflection on one of the big questions whilst ambling inland on sandy tracks this morning: Is there life after death?

This is closely linked to another big question, on the existence of God or Gods. However, one question at a time is enough.

Perhaps there are three possible answers: yes, no, and maybe . . . and each of us will decide according to our experience, what we think at any particular time.

Let's look at "no" first, because it is easiest to eliminate, logically. How do you prove a negative? All you can say truly is, at this time my experience has shown me nothing to suggest life after death.

There are very good reasons to deny life after death, politically. After all, the rich and powerful throughout the world and throughout the ages have used, and still use, the concept of paradise to come as a panacea to pacify the poor. This does not prove the negative, however.

Moving to the "yes" option, there are many mystics who have spoken compellingly of eternity . . .  where to start? Edgar Cayce?

Personal experience leads me to yes (probably) . . . there is a story of a Zen master, when asked the same question, who replied, "I don't know". The questioner replied, " but you are a Zen master" . . . the response was, "Yes, but not a dead one".

Maybe the veil between lives is there so we live fully each life, as if it were the only one.

The walking was straightforward and a pleasant change to go inland, through woods of cork and eucalyptus . . . some climbing and a stream to cross, but four hours was enough and outside Cercal, met Ben, on his bike . . . 40, from Hebden Bridge, now living near Lagos and cycling the Vincentina Way . . . and a volunteer looking after the Cape St Vincent to Vila de Bispo stage . . . resonating with the conversation and continuing over a couple of coffees . . .  a good connection and lots of common interests . . . Ben headed towards Odemira and I had my picnic and thought about finding a bed, before walking south tomorrow . . . when a bus pulled in, with Odeceixe on the front . . . drawn to it . . . an old man urged me to get on and the options from last night were completely changed, as I picked up the connection to Aljezur, a reunion with friends from last week, an extra day to write and plenty of time to wander along the Algarve Way . . . so much for plans . . .