. . . is the first stage on this Caminho, but since there is no accommodation in Castro Marim, it's on to Vila Real (and back again in the morning, to pick up the route to Alcoutim, already 40km . . . )
Legs and pack feel fine, striding out towards Cabanas, and Johannes joins me on the day's walking . . . so, a guide for the route and for historical information and a brisk pace . . . he was a Physical Education teacher and marathon runner and trainer, before a bad accident forced a change of direction . . . now a tour guide with a German company, he covers the Algarve and Andalusia as far as Malaga. His caminho work is voluntary and his passion . . . and a bone condition means he really needs to walk seriously as much as possible to stay mobile.
The Tavira caminho has a long history, he tells me. In fact there were two different routes leaving Tavira and he has plans to revive the second route too. He is a Catholic from Belgium and keen on the churches along the way. He also tells me stories of antipathy towards the revival of the route from local left-wing politicians.
In Castro Marim, Johannes heads back for his lift over the bridge and his home in Spain, promising to try to catch up for another day or half day's walking. I head into Vila Real, find a room in a hotel for €20, and have a look around town . . . last day on the Algarve coast for a while.
An early start in the morning and a head down and keep walking kind of day, to make Alcoutim by early evening . . .
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