The book, the film, the trip...
I’ve just read the book and watched the DVD. This is part of my research for my forthcoming trip to Portugal. The novel has received enthusiastic reviews, but I found it rather long-winded and I skipped over many philosophical passages. The film concentrated on the exciting plot, without the philosophy. It deals with the resistance to Salazar’s dictatorial regime in Portugal, a subject not often aired (unlike the French Resistance to the Nazis which is much better known).
Next month I’m off to Portugal, though no night train will be involved. With my ongoing knee problem (not bad enough for surgery apparently, but still painful for long distance walking) I’ve planned a backpacking trip on the country’s rail network. I’ll be visiting many of the top spots on the Portuguese Camino but as a tourist.
Starting in Porto, I'll be taking a slow train up the Duoro Valley as far as Pinhao, hoping to see the grape harvest. Then back to Porto to take in a few sights I missed last time, such as the Lello Bookshop, which was the inspiration for Hogwarts library in Harry Potter. On to Lisbon via the university town of Coimbra (beautiful ancient library and cathedral). Four nights in Lisbon, with a side trip to Sintra: hope all the steps and cobbles do not cause my knee to give out. Further south to Evora and maybe down to the Algarve after that. I'll miss the camaraderie of being on the Camino, where pilgrims stick together, instantly recognisable to each other even without the shell on their backpack; but I'll have more time and energy to see all the sights - and even do some shopping (only one custard tart per day, though!)
Lisbon Resistance Museum
Lisbon Resistance Museum
