Jim, people say what they want to say, but...
Yes, there is a big problem with the Camino on the stage from Santarém to Golegã. Pilgrim Associations are well aware of it. Tourist and cultural boards also. Everybody is trying to get things better. But sometimes is easier to say silly things:
Towns making deals to get on the way is the most stupid thing I have heard in a long time. It's not your fault, of couse. You are just telling us what ignorant and envious people told you. Things don't work that way in Portugal. Golegã has been on the Camino at least since the 14 century.
I have been in countless meetings about the Camino Portugues with mayors, tourist boards, etc etc. and everybody wants to have things done the better way for pilgrims.
The Golegã Mayor is playing politics with Azinhaga? Maybe. People at Azinhaga are mad with the Golegã Mayor? yes they are. They want the Camino going through their town and businesses, and I agree that the Camino should go through Azinhaga, because that is better to pilgrims, and it's the historical track. But I must tell you that he old track was a continuous source of problems, going throught private farms with the owners closing and changing paths every couple of months and it is also a flood zone. There was a usual number of lost pilgrims there. The new marking takes you too far north, out of Azinhaga to get pilgrims off of the paved road. Yes it's a mistake. There is no good solution here. Althoug I think you get yourself lost somewhere, this detour does add distance to the stage, but it's not 10kms, more like 2. And this is a municipal thing, the Town Hall can do whatever wants to do. I hope people will learn from their own mistakes. Things will be better next year, associations and Camino municipalities do want the Camino to be better for pilgrims.
Also, there is no EU money for refurbishing houses because of the Camino. The EU programs to refurbish old houses and change them to touristic business are in no way related to the Camino. You won't get a cent more or a cent less if the Camino is at your door or 100 Km away. Of course there are touristic businesses who would like to have the Camino by their door, and there have been a few who tried to change the Camino. No one suceeded so far. The things they told you about the high prices, the EU or taxpayer money Camino related, etc, etc etc are not real. Those are talks driven by ignorance or envy. Next time you hear that kind of fables, ask for an example. Only one. You will get a "everybody knows that" answer, or a lie. Wanna bet?
Don't get me wrong, we want to know the bad things, we thank people who point errors to us, that's the way the Camino can become better. But we want facts - the Santarem/Golegã is a problem, yes it is, we like people to complain, we will "deliver" those complains to the right places, each complain can become a card in this game we play together.
We don't need conspiration theories.
Of course you are only telling what someone told you. I know that. I know how one feels after 30 and so kms in the sun. And I know those kms and I know that sun. But I also know the places, the people, the reality of the Portuguese Camino.
I really wish you a Bom Caminho
For those who wants to take a look at
Brierley's new map of this section, it's available at the updates in the caminoguides web page:
http://www.caminoguides.com/docs/Santarem-Golega p.53.pdf
José Luis Sanches