Earlier this year, we saw that March and April was the start of the caminho season from Lisbon. In the summer months we didn’t see a lot of pilgrims passing by. It is too hot, I guess. The Chief Pilgrim thinks it is because it is well known that the caminho from Lisbon is very hard. Facebook groups distribute this kind of info quickly. Long distances are the norm, with few albergues along the way and the hot asphalt making the journey even tougher, with lots of blisters. The long trek to Santiago de Compostela, of course is hard on itself. It will take about a month. Because of the long distances and without seeing a house or a water tap, there is really not enough water in your bottle around Santarem for example.
Now, in September, it feels like the start of a new season after the summer. Although it’s still very hot, we’re noticing more pilgrims passing by. Some are staying the night at our place.
Portugal’s Nightmare: Fighting Fires in Extreme Heat
After summer all is so dry and the heat intense in Portugal, that wildfires are breaking out across the country. It’s a nightmare for Portugal. Esther and Monique, our friends, who live next to each other near Ansiao, our town, evacuated their home for safety as the fires spread until their house, two years ago. And now Monique was so unlucky to be on the highway near Coimbra where the fires just started.
Another friend reached out to the fire brigade, asking how we can help, as there’s always a shortage of people and resources. They urgently need food packages—quick, easy-to-eat items for short breaks—because firefighters are working around the clock. Small bottles of water are also essential. And, of course, no chocolate (even in cookies), as it would melt in the heat. So, if you come across the Bombeiros Voluntários (volunteer firefighters), visible in almost every bigger town, you can offer your help. I filled a little backpack with easy-to-eat stuff, and some bananas. All help is welcome.
Recipe Cards
An Irish couple booked the casinha yesterday. He was a retired fireman and luckily he confirmed that our place is very safe. Past week the fires started near our place in Coimbra and up North. The sky was dark. The summer fires are disastrous, but hopefully the sky is clear again to walk safely and to breath again. For now we stay inside. Towards Coimbra there is still a lot of ash in the air.
We did have our dinner outside, our house is far enough from fires. Reassured by our guest we enjoyed a Surinamese vegetarian curry and an chicken curry with roti filled with yellow chickpeas. This recipe is featured in the Casa da Lima recipe book. While you can already find the recipe for the curry and roti below, the instructions for the filled bread will be shared in the booklet soon. Stay tuned!
