Further info about walking onwards....
The short version: signage after "Vale de Figuera" starts to become very hit and miss, more on the miss.
Be prepared to end up at places you don't intend to be.
In Azinhaga is a new place to stay.... On main street on right hand side, shortly after the Casa di Azinhaga ( which is quite nice, but in dire need of having all rooms aired out and filled with 21st century air.)
The new place is called something like Espiritu Santa, painted in bright golden yellow and white.
I intended to overnight in the new hostel place in Sao Caetano...the Hachmeister place.
Well..arrived, stood there...and no one responds to door knocks, bell ringing or calling out.
Thus i am digging up the phone number mentioned in the
brierly guide....and i end up talking to a woman in a B&B that is five km away!!!
HUH?!
The phone numbers in the guide are all messed up. The woman and her husband were so kind to pick me up...and i stayed with them for the night. the also told me that the book wrote their fax number instead of phone number as contact..creating considerable hic ups as well...and that i was the 3.pilgrim in as many days who had called them - just like me: at the hachmeister place, no one opens...
The next day..the misguide book adventures continued shortly after Atalaia. The b-book mentions one ought to pay attention... But one can be attentive until one is blue in the face, if there is contradictory signage or none at all.... It is of no avail.
Walking alone, with heavy dark clouds overhead, not knowing which way i was heading... I wasn't exactly amused. Ended up at the busy and dangerous road110 and trugged along....
Eventually ended up in Tomar which is just a MARVELOUS place to visit. Love it....
Booked myself into the 2300Tomar hostel....very friendly and well kept place, new etc...
Showed them the photos i have taken of the confusing signage etc...and they in turn have contacted ViaLusitana group
But but but ...my visit coincided with the youth group from hell! Or actually , from Belgium.
All pilgrims rather upset and very very underslept because none of us got any sleep.
Seems like here are no rules enforced and any deranged group or person has the run of this place.
Which is truly too bad indeed.... Since it is a good place. Maybe call in before if they host a group...and if they do, choose another place.
The owner of course is very upset about it as well, since it can ruin her business....
So, i am looking for a new place to sleep tonight. Still in Tomar though, since it is a lovely place.
Will also include photos of the conflicting signs. Was told that ViaLusitana folks were shocked to learn about it and said they will look into it.
So...hope all this mess will result in some solid improvement....
Saluti...am off to find some hot cafe and pastries...
Claudia
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