I walked 800km on the Camino Frances two years ago without hardly any foot or injury issues and though I’ve worn the exact same boots and socks for some reason this Camino has been another story entirely.

From almost our first day I was having some minor issues but I was keeping on top of things. By the end of day three I knew I was in trouble. I had blisters on both feet, heels, toes, sides and bottom. I treated them and bandaged them until they were comfortable and we set out along the top of the flood wall out of Valada to make the 25km plus hike to Santarém.

Much of the walk was over flat terrain through similar market garden landscape, villages were few and far between and at one stage we just sat in a field, by the ditch for shelter, for a break.

The last 8kms were torture, my feet were all I could focus on, no amount of listening to podcasts, deep breathing or step counting could distract me from the discomfort I was in. When we arrived at our accommodation I was broken. When I got myself together I put my feet into cold water and tended to them. Then I rested while hubby ran errands.

Now it was decision time, what do I do next? Can I continue? Do we take a rest day or is it all over? I decided on a night sleep and to reevaluate in the morning. I’m not ready to give up but I’m not sure I could make it through another day like today.