Tavira to ... Vila do Conde

Enforced delay leads to early morning philosophy with Arturo, previously known as Arthur in his Finchley childhood ...  travels in China, Nepal, India, plus psychoactive assisted trip to other worlds and teachings from Osho and a Tibetan Buddhist master brought him to the mountains of Majorca 35 years ago ... making a living as an artist and currently on a trip around Portugal seeking other perspectives ... drugs and gurus not quite sitting comfortably .... anyway, a strong connection and a grateful recipient for the hardback, too heavy, Peterson book ... not required or desired on the coming Camino ... a parting observation on literary reference points: Peterson strongly into the Bible, whilst Damasio suggests Shakespeare has all the stories covered ...

Arturo's bleak observation: Nobody's thinking about you, is considered ... perhaps better posed as a question: What if nobody's thinking about you? How we respond to the statement or the question, of course, is up to us ! It's linked to the subject of solitude, a practice necessary to pursue, though it's partner, loneliness, lurks along the way ... embracing both aspects enables the leap to putting the small self in its place and then reconnecting with other players in the multi-level dramas of Life ...

Since early Porto through train is missed, whilst waiting to see if escape from dental trials is feasible, plan B is afternoon slightly slower one, changing in Lisbon, leaving time for more pilgrim talk with Diana, who reports on a t.v. programme about the pilgrims and says she will walk the Way one day ... also that the Pousada de Juventude offers people similar opportunities to share ... as clearly illustrated on each visit ... bus option to Faro chosen over train, offering different perspective and longer journey time, arriving at bus station with 5 minute window for new bus option to Porto, though queue for tickets making it tight, and train preferred for comfort and speed, indeed senior discount offers first class comfort for a very reasonable €29.50 ...  and a wide enough window for vegan restaurant lunch ... recent thoughts and words lead to the necessary next step for authenticity - action ... two trains and a Porto Metro later it's Vila do Conde for the night, already one stage along the coastal route ... whether to head east for central route and Barcelos or head up the coast towards Viana do Castelo is a question for the morning ...