This is the brief documentary of one of my favourite runs ever, a 34km one from the surf mecca of Baleal on the Portuguese Silver Coast to the major inland urban centre of Caldas da Rainha, well known for its famous thermal spa hospital. The first 16km leg of the journey saw me moving north along the Atlantic coastline to Bom Sucesso (lit. ’good success’), which is located on the northern banks of the mouth of the Lagoa de Óbidos (Óbidos lagoon).
After a welcome lunch break, I headed off on the second leg of 18km, following the nature trail that hugs the lagoon’s shoreline. As I left the lagoon behind me, I climbed to the hilltop village of Arelho. From the high vantage point at the Arelho village church, I took a brief moment to reflect on the trails that I had just covered, with a panoramic view looking back over the entire lagoon, which was fortuitously accompanied by the ringing of the church bells!
After leaving Arelho, I entered into some serene countryside, basking in solitude in the blazing late afternoon sun, as I meandered through forests and farmlands to finally reach my destination at the municipal square of Caldas da Rainha.
Thank you for sharing this running adventure with me, and be blessed,
Jyri
run for your life 