Stage 2. Moscavide to Vila Franca de Xira - 31kms, sunny and warm

We we were on our way early this morning after a delightful evening with Kerry in the Park of the Nations. It was fresh clear morning and we caught this beautiful sunrise over the River Tejo.

This is Catherine of Braganza, Portugese wife of Charles II, who was responsible for introducing tea and tea-time to England. We approve of Catherine! And check out the juxtaposition of old and new Portugal...

Vasco da Gama bridge must be one of the longest and most architecturally beautiful in the world.

We've long loved the varying architecture of bridges and they've also been a powerful metaphor of transition for us and in some of our work. We saw some amazing bridges today.

Fairly quickly we turned along an estuary of the Tejo, and the track became dirt winding through swampy sections and run down market gardens.

As we wandered along this track, we bumped into Ilia from the Czech Republic and spent the rest of the day travelling companionably with him. For most of the morning we were in the flight path of planes taking off from Lisbon airport, but in between take offs began to hear the bells of the goats grazing in nearby fields.

As we entered onto unpaved track, the phrase 'walking on country' came to us, and especially in the light of our recent experience in central Australia, we pondered what this might mean for us as pilgrims in a strange land. 'Country' can be a very local concept. Is it possible to see the whole earth as 'country'? Can we listen to this country? 

Geoff - this one's for you - not quite a wind vane, but thereabouts.

And Kate, this one's for you - the black cat that crossed our path. 

At our first stop after 13km, we got a bit lost looking for the recommended local cafe - Nadia's. Neil asked a local woman, and she put us on to an old man on a motorised scooter, who led us through the village streets to deposit us at the door. When we ordered our late breakfast, half the cafe pitched in to help with language. It's been lovely the way local villagers have humbly and quietly looked out for us.

Here's the next stop where we had lunch and a great chat with Ilia.

From here it was a reasonably long hot slog to Vila Franca, but the last few kilometres were again by the Tejo. And overall, we were really happy with how our bodies held up over this first over 30km day.

The station at Vila Franca is a beautiful old building. We're staying just behind it tonight!

By the time we blog again, we're conscious that Benedictus will have gathered. We're thinking of you all, and trusting that you will enjoy the company of each other as we are enjoying meeting fellow pilgrims and locals here.

Bom caminho,

Sarah and Neil